At Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (NEDHSA), we believe every individual deserves the opportunity to live a meaningful, self-directed life. Our Developmental Disabilities services are designed to empower individuals and families by connecting them with the resources, supports, and opportunities they need to thrive in their homes, workplaces, schools, and communities.
Developmental disabilities are lifelong conditions that typically begin before adulthood and may affect physical, intellectual, learning, language, or behavioral development. Every person’s abilities, goals, and support needs are unique, which is why NEDHSA takes a person-centered approach to care—focusing on individual strengths, personal choice, and meaningful outcomes.
NEDHSA works with individuals, families, caregivers, healthcare providers, schools, and community partners to coordinate services that promote independence, community inclusion, and an improved quality of life. Our team helps individuals navigate available resources, develop individualized plans, and access services that support long-term success.
What is a developmental disability?
A developmental disability is a severe, chronic disability that can be an intellectual impairment, a physical impairment, or both. The disability must be likely to continue indefinitely and cause a person to have substantial limitations in multiple areas of self-care, language, learning, mobility, and the ability to live independently. These impairments cannot be attributed solely to mental illness and the disability must have manifested before the individual is 22 years of age.
This information serves as a guideline. If you believe you or a member of your family may meet these criteria and need services, please contact us for additional information. You can also find additional information on the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) website: https://ldh.la.gov/office-for-citizens-with-developmental-disabilities
Entry Unit
NEDHSA’s Entry Unit is tasked with determining eligibility into the Developmental Disability (DD) Service system for the state of Louisiana. The unit consists of 3 staff assigned by geographical region in our 12 parishes of Region 8. All determinations have the Assistant Director of DD as the second-level reviewer. For complex situations or denials, a third-level review is carried out by the Entry Review Team (ERT), which consists of the Entry Unit staff, DD Director, Assistant DD Director, and an OCDD Psychologist. If the ERT needs assistance, there is a fourth level review carried out by OCDD’s Clinical Director and team.
Services
Children’s Choice Waiver
Children’s Choice Waiver offers supplemental support to children through age 18 who currently live at home with their families or with a foster family.
New Opportunities Waiver
New Opportunities Waiver offers people age 3 and older who otherwise would require the level of care of an Intermediate Care Facility for the Developmentally Disabled (ICFs/DD) services that allow them to remain in their communities. Services are based on the need of the recipient and are developed using a person-centered process to formulate an individualized plan.
Supports Waiver
Supports Waiver offers focused, individualized vocational services to people age 18 and older who otherwise would require the level of care of an Intermediate Care Facility for the Developmentally Disabled (ICFs/DD).
Residential Options Waiver
Residential Options Waiver offers people of all ages services designed to support them to move from ICFs/DD and nursing facilities to community-based settings and to serve as an alternative to institutionalization.
Flexible Family Funds
Flexible Family Funds provides monthly stipends to families of eligible children with severe or profound developmental disabilities from birth to age 18 to help their families meet extraordinary costs.
These subsidies are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Individual and Family Support
Individual and Family Support provides assistance not available from any other resource that will allow people with developmental disabilities to live in their own homes or with their families in their own community.
How do I apply for services?
Contact our office at 318-362-3396.
You will be connected with a staff person who will start the application process with you. A required face-to-face interview will be scheduled to meet you, gather information and obtain the required authorization to complete the application process. You do not have to be Medicaid eligible to apply for eligibility into the service system.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
You may complete the Core Interview Questionnaire form before or during the interview. To complete the process and substantiate the qualifying condition, bring the following supporting documentation to the in-person interview.
- Proof of identification
- Proof of health insurance or Medicaid card
- School records (if receiving or have received special education services such as IEP, Pupil Appraisal)
- Legal papers (custody, interdiction, power of attorney, etc.)
- Psychosocial and/or Psychological evaluations which may include an IQ score
- Autism Spectrum Disorder evaluation by a Licensed Professional for whom diagnosis and assessment is with in his scope of practice based upon a least one recognized standard assessment.
- If the potentially qualifying condition is a medical diagnosis bring a medical assessment current within twelve (12) months.
- If a behavioral health condition exists a behavioral health assessment within 12 months.
If you do not have these documents, you will be assisted in obtaining them.
What to expect at the in-person interview:
- A review of the criteria for participation.
- Potential resources and referrals including Medicaid services.
- Review of evaluations requested and identify additional information that may be needed.
- Signing of the HIPAA Authorization to Release Information form or Obtain Information form, if applicable.
- You will receive the “Rights” document.
- Signing of the OCDD Request for Participation Form
- For individuals 18 years of age or older or turning 18 before the next election and/or their caregiver will be offered the opportunity to register to vote.
- Questions related to the developmental milestones will be asked.
- The standard screening measure/tool concerning functional limitation and support needs will be completed.
- A Support Profile will be completed which will identify the supports and services, desires, goals and any issues concerning the person’s well-being.
Flexible Family Fund
Flexible Family Fund provides monthly stipends to families of eligible children with severe or profound developmental disabilities from birth to age 18 to help their families meet extraordinary costs. This stipend is currently $258 per month. NEDHSA has 150 slots available with a waiting list for new applicants. With annual renewal of eligibility for this program, an individual can remain on this program until their 18th birthday. Waiting list applicants must also renew annually to maintain their place on the waiting list.
What is Needed for an FFF Application?
The child’s school records (for special education services such as IEP, Pupil Appraisal) would need to be submitted with the application. If your child is under 3 years old and has not yet been evaluated by the school system, an Early Steps plan (IFSP) would be submitted along with the FFF application. You can contact the DD Services office for more information about the application process.
Medicaid Waiver
Medicaid waiver programs provide services and supports that afford individuals the ability to live in their homes or communities instead of in institutions. These programs are Medicaid funded and based on federal criteria that allow services such as personal care, home modifications, and support coordination to be provided in home settings to specific groups like those with developmental disabilities or older adults with adult-onset disabilities. These programs are administered by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) with a select number of these waiver programs monitored by LDH’s Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) and designed specifically to support individuals with developmental disabilities. Home and community-based waiver services are long-term supports and services related to the beneficiary’s daily needs and do not take the place of needed medical, mental health treatments, therapies, or educational programs. Eligibility and available services vary by program.
In Region 8, NEDHSA’s Waiver Unit is responsible for the oversight of four home and community based waivers for individuals with developmental disabilities: Children Choice (CC) Waiver, Supports Waiver (SW), Residential Options Waiver (ROW), and New Opportunities Waiver (NOW). The Waiver Unit is responsible for approving an individual’s initial certification into one of the four waivers by review of the Comprehensive Plan of Care submitted by the individual’s chosen support coordination agency and waiver provider. The unit also reviews annual plans for renewal, reviews revision requests, and provides technical assistance and guidance to private support coordination. The Waiver Unit, in conjunction with the NEDHSA Compliance Unit, monitors Support Coordination Agencies and Home and Community Based Supports (HCBS) providers of vocational services.
The four Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waivers (CC, SW, ROW, and NOW) operate as a tiered system of service delivery, allowing OCDD/NEDHSA to support individuals in the waiver most appropriate for their needs. HCBS waiver opportunities are based on the individual’s prioritized need for support, which is identified in the Request for Services Registry (RFSR) process by use of the Screening for Urgency of Need (SUN). Priority is given to individuals with the most emergent and urgent need for supports.
Medicaid Funded DD Waivers
Children’s Choice Waiver (Children Package) – offers supplemental support designed to work in conjunction with Medicaid state plan and educational services for children up to age 21 who currently live at home with their families or with a foster family. Services are based on the individual’s needs and are developed using a person-centered process to formulate a customized plan.
LDH Link – https://ldh.la.gov/office-for-citizens-with-developmental-disabilities/childrens-choice-waiver
Supports Waiver (Tier 1) – offers supplemental support designed to work in conjunction with the Medicaid state plan services and focused on individualized day and employment services to people ages 18 and older. Services are based on the need of the individual and are developed using a person-centered process to formulate a customized plan.
LDH Link – https://ldh.la.gov/office-for-citizens-with-developmental-disabilities/supports-waiver
Residential Options Waiver (Tier 2) – offers supplemental support for daily needs designed to help people to live in a community-based setting whose needs cannot be met in the Children’s Choice or Supports Waiver. Available services are offered based on the support needs of the individual and are developed using a person-centered process to formulate an individualized plan.
LDH Link – https://ldh.la.gov/office-for-citizens-with-developmental-disabilities/residential-options-waiver
New Opportunities Waiver (Tier 3) – offers supplemental support for daily needs designed to help people whose needs cannot be met in the Children’s Choice, Supports Waiver, or Residential Options Waiver live in a community-based setting. Available services are offered based on the support needs of the individual (as identified by assigned resource allocation level) and are developed using a person-centered process to formulate an individualized plan.
LDH Link – https://ldh.la.gov/office-for-citizens-with-developmental-disabilities/new-opportunities-waiver
PASRR
All requests for nursing home placement into a Medicaid-certified nursing facility are made through the Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS) by submitting a level I PASRR request. Applicants are then assessed to determine whether they have SMI or a developmental disability (DD). If they are determined to have SMI or a DD, the applicant will then be referred for a comprehensive evaluation through the PASRR level II process. NEDHSA/OCDD completes the Level 2 PASRR process for anyone with a developmental disability requesting nursing home placement. If the person is determined to have a SMI and a DD, OBH and NEDHSA/OCDD will collaborate on the level II decision.
You can click HERE for more information about Nursing Facility Admissions: https://ldh.la.gov/office-of-aging-and-adult-services/nursing-facility-services
You can click HERE for more information about the PASRR process: https://ldh.la.gov/page/preadmission-screening-and-resident-revie
I ICF/DD
An Intermediate Care Facility for the Developmentally Disabled (ICF/DD) is a residential facility that provides 24-hour active treatment, health, and rehabilitative services for people with intellectual or related developmental disabilities. This can be a small facility commonly referred to as a group home or a larger facility on the scale of a nursing home or hospital. In Region 8 there are approximately 500 group home beds available. NEDHSA/OCDD receives admission, transfer, and discharge packets from the area group homes to certify for Medicaid.
To be eligible for group home placement, an individual must have a Statement of Approval for the developmental disabilities service system.
To learn more about ICF/DD facilities, visit https://ldh.la.gov/health-standards-section/intermediate-care-facility-for-the-developmentally-disabled-icfdd
ACT 421
ACT 421 is a Medicaid program that provides Medicaid coverage to children with certain disabilities who would otherwise be ineligible for Medicaid due to their parent’s income. Our office completes all the level of care assessments, required by Medicaid, for this program. Act 421 applications may also consist of a screening by an RN.
For more information or to apply for the Act 421-CMO program, visit https://ldh.la.gov/act-421 or call 1(800) 230-0690.
Want to Make a Difference for the DD Community? Developmental Disabilities Regional Advisory Committee (DD RAC)
The Northeast Delta DD RAC provides public input and makes recommendations to NEDHSA’s DD Services Office. Quarterly meetings are held at 1:30 pm the 4th Tuesday of every January, April, July, and October. Meetings are held by Zoom and in-person at the local Families Helping Families office. You can contact the DD Services Office at (318) 362-3396 or Families Helping Families at (318) 361-0487 for more information.
These meetings are open to the public. Only DD RAC members can vote on agenda items.
If you want to serve on the Northeast Delta DD RAC, you can apply by completing this form: https://ldh.la.gov/assets/docs/OCDD/Other/RACFillableNominationForm0921.pdf
Other related program links
Early Steps https://ldh.la.gov/page/early-steps
My Place Louisiana https://ldh.la.gov/page/ocdd-my-place-louisiana
Families Helping Families NELA https://fhfnela.org/
Louisiana Department of Health DD https://ldh.la.gov/disabilities
Apply for Medicaid https://ldh.la.gov/healthy-louisiana
Medicaid Services https://ldh.la.gov/medicaid/medicaid-services
Medicaid Provider Locator https://www.lamedicaid.com/apps/provider_demographics/provider_map.aspx
Where is Northeast Delta located?
Our Developmental Disabilities Office is located at 2324 Armand Connector, Monroe, LA 71201.
Our Office Hours are 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.