ENROLLED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 211
BY REPRESENTATIVE BUTLER
A RESOLUTION
To direct the office for citizens with developmental disabilities to extend its Family Flexible
Fund and waiver provisions in cases of emergency via administrative authority, or
rulemaking authority as necessary.
WHEREAS, according to its website, the office for citizens with developmental
disabilities serves as the single point of entry for developmental disabilities services; and
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the office for citizens with developmental disabilities
to oversee public and private residential services and other services for people with
developmental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, to fulfill its duties, the office for citizens with developmental disabilities
performs assessments to determine the eligibility of persons who request services for
developmental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the office for citizens with developmental disabilities also provides
monthly stipends to the families of people with severe or profound developmental
disabilities from birth to age of majority who are deemed eligible; and
WHEREAS, such provisions from the office for citizens with developmental
disabilities help families meet the extraordinary costs associated with the provision of care
for a person with severe or profound developmental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, many people who utilize Medicaid home- and community-based waiver
programs are afforded flexibility to choose where they want to live; and
WHEREAS, those persons are also able to determine which Medicaid services best
accommodate their needs; and
WHEREAS, the office for citizens with developmental disabilities offers specific
service packages and eligibility requirements for each home- and community-based waiver;
and
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WHEREAS, waiver opportunities depend on funding and are offered based on the
individual's need and priority level from the screening information in the request for services
registry; and
WHEREAS, the services that families are able to access using the Family Flexible
Fund program include but are not limited to respite care, personal assistance services,
specialized clothing, dental and medical services, equipment and supplies, communication
services, crisis intervention, specialized utility costs, specialized nutrition, and family
education; and
WHEREAS, such services are provided through private provider agency contracts
or through agreements with individuals and families who obtain their own service providers;
and
WHEREAS, there have been instances when families have faced undue financial
burdens as a result of the expiration of the Family Flexible Fund provisions offered by the
office for citizens with developmental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the office for citizens with developmental disabilities extend its Family
Flexible Fund provision to ensure that such a burden is never placed on the family of a
person with a severe or profound developmental disability.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby direct the office for citizens with developmental
disabilities to establish expedited processes for its Family Flexible Fund and waiver
programs in cases of extraordinary circumstances via administrative authority, or rulemaking
authority, as necessary, by April 1, 2025.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
assistant secretary of the office for citizens with developmental disabilities and the secretary
of the Louisiana Department of Health.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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