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LDOE details family supports for diverse learners, points parents to ombudsman and partnerships
Summary
The Louisiana Department of Education described programs and partners aimed at boosting family engagement for students with disabilities, highlighted an ombudsman resource and advisory groups, and urged task force members to focus recommendations on both district and family-facing systems.
Lauren Wells, acting executive director of the Division of Diverse Learners at the Louisiana Department of Education, told the Parent and Family Engagement Task Force about ongoing state efforts to connect families of students with disabilities to supports and partners. "We want to, truly and actively engage with our stakeholders, including our families of diverse learners," Wells said, summarizing the division's priorities.
Wells outlined partnerships with Families Helping Families and Exceptional Lives, summer and year‑round events (an ARC parent summit and a youth leadership forum) and district-level transition work designed to improve post‑secondary outcomes. She also described an internal special education ombudsman role and processes for dispute resolution. Wells said information and an ombudsman email address are posted on LDOE's website and that the department routes callers through its call center to reach the special education ombudsman when appropriate.
Why it matters: Task force members are assembling recommendations intended for BESE and the House Committee on Education by the end of the year; many parents and members said clarifying where families should go for help is a high priority. Several members urged the committee to make specific, actionable recommendations for families with students in special education. The department also flagged advisory groups and local liaisons that feed parent perspectives into policy discussions.
Details: Wells highlighted internal resources (special education ombudsman; special education advisory panel) and noted pilot work in St. Bernard and St. Tammany parishes with Exceptional Lives. The department emphasized collaboration with Louisiana Rehabilitation Services and district transition teams on employer partnerships and transition fairs.
Next steps: The task force will include these supports and gaps in the draft recommendations and consider elevating special education‑specific guidance; members asked LDOE to provide research and parent‑voice data ahead of the next meeting.
