Lafayette Parish forum outlines transition supports, waivers and contact points for students with disabilities

Ellen Castellanos, program specialist with the Department of Special Education and LEAP Connect supervisor, opened a Community Resource Forum at the Lafayette Parish School System boardroom to give parents and guardians information about community resources for students with disabilities.

"The purpose of this meeting is really to provide parents, guardians, families with information about community resources that may be available to you or your children," Castellanos said, introducing two presenters who work in regional disability supports.

Nicole Flores, executive director of Families Helping Families of Acadiana, described the nonprofit network that offers free, peer‑to‑peer navigation, education and outreach across nine centers in Louisiana. Flores said the centers help with school‑related questions, connecting families to Medicaid waivers, post‑secondary and employment options, and other supports. She noted the group’s Youth Leadership Forum — a free, four‑day advocacy camp for students in 10th–12th grade — will be held at LSUE in July and delegate applications are open through the end of the month.

"What we are is a one‑stop shop for anything disability‑related, or if you have a special health care need," Flores said, adding that staff bring lived experience as parents or people with disabilities.

Flores provided the Families Helping Families of…