Non-Profit Organizations

I NON PROFITS

Children’s Special Health Services

is a program of services for children and youths who have special health care needs and meet financial guidelines. Administered by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health. 504.599.0100

EarlySteps

is Louisiana’s early intervention program for newborns to 3-year-olds who have a medical condition likely to result in a developmental delay or who have developmental delays. Children with cognitive, motor, vision, hearing, communication, social-emotional, or adaptive development delays may be eligible for services. Services are designed to improve the family’s capacity to enhance a child’s development. These services are provided in the child’s natural environment, such as the home or childcare setting. Parents may start their inquiry by contacting their System Point of Entry Office, 504.595.3408 (for the greater New Orleans area).

Families Helping Families

is a group of family-focused resource centers that serve the community. FHF serves individuals with disabilities throughout their lifespan, from initial diagnosis through adulthood. Core services include information and referral, education and training, and family-to-family support. There are three branches serving the Greater New Orleans area: Families Helping Families of Southeast Louisiana (504.943.0343, fhfsela.org) for Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard parishes; Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans (504.888.9111, fhfofgno.org); and Northshore Families Helping Families (985.875.0511, fhfnorthshore.org) for St. Tammany, Washington, Tangipahoa, St. Helena, and Livingston parishes.

The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council

comprises representatives from every region of the state who advocate for community services and support sought by individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Additionally, the council strives to increase the availability of support and to rebalance Louisiana’s resources to better meet the needs of its citizens with disabilities and their families. 800.450.8108, laddc.org

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT/INFORMATION

General concerns:

• For additional local resources, consider Agenda for Children, a childcare referral service for metropolitan New Orleans. 504.586.8509, agendaforchildren.org • Type in “development” in the search field of any of the following websites for developmental milestones, broken down by age: –healthychildren.org (the American Academy of Pediatrics’ website for parents) –childdevelopmentinfo.com –pbs.org/wholechild/abc –zerotothree.org