LA Council’s Advocacy Network (LaCAN)
The statewide grassroots advocacy network of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council.
Linking lawmakers, individuals with disabilities, and family members to make positive change in systems serving people with disabilities.
OUR MISSION
The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council’s mission is to lead and promote advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change to improve the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
The Louisiana Council’s Advocacy Network, LaCAN, furthers this mission by advocating for policies and systems that support inclusion everywhere people learn, work, live, and play. LaCAN advocates for service systems that support children and adults with disabilities to live in their own homes and be fully-included and participating members of their local schools and communities.
OUR HISTORY
1988 LaCAN was created by the Council to advocate for a home and community-based service system
2004 LaTEACH was created by the Council to promote inclusive education for all students.
2016 These two initiatives united to form one powerful network to advocate for home and community-based services, employment, and education/early intervention issues.
OUR MEMBERS
Regional LaCAN teams include individuals with disabilities, family members, friends, educators, and other professionals who are interested in advocating for systems change. Benefits to membership include:
- Connection-become part of a regional team of advocates
- Information-receive current information on proposed policy changes and how those changes may affect you and others
- Training-learn skills to effectively advocate for systems change
- Support-receive assistance from a regional LaCAN Leader who will link you with your policymakers
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- Children, regardless of the severity of their disability, need families and enduring relationships with adults in a nurturing home environment to develop to their fullest potential.
- Adults with developmental disabilities should be afforded the opportunity to make decisions for themselves, live in typical homes and communities, and exercise their full rights and responsibilities as citizens.
- People with developmental disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disability, should have the opportunity and support needed to gain and maintain competitive, integrated, individualized employment.
- All students, with or without disabilities, should e provided the same opportunities to be educated in neighborhood schools as their sisters, brothers, friends, and neighbors.
- All students, with or without disabilities, should be provided with the support to learn together effectively, involving family, school, and community.
DO YOU WANT TO JOIN OUR REGIONAL LaCAN TEAM AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Contact:
Julie Folse
email: mailto:jsmith@lacanadvocates.org
phone: 985-447-4461
Looking for Team members in the following parishes: Lafourche, Terrebonne, Assumption, St. Mary, St. James, St. John, and St. Charles parishes!!