WORKERS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Louisiana Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to People with Developmental Disabilities

The vision of the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) is to make a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities by providing the necessary leadership for the development of a full array of integrated and accessible MR/DD supports and services which offer opportunities to achieve personally defined outcomes in pursuit of quality of life, well being and meaningful relationships. The OCDD contributes or provides supports and services focused on promoting community participation and self-advocacy. These include, but are not limited to, vocational supports to promote independence, financial support to families who have a child with profound or severe disabilities, and assistance to individuals and families to help maintain themselves or a family member in the home. The OCDD serves as a resource for assisting individuals and families in obtaining information and services about other state and federal programs.

Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals
628 North Fourth Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Phone: 225-342-0095
Toll Free: 866-783-5553
Fax: 225-342-8823

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for People with Developmental Disabilities

Vocational Rehabilitation, the flagship program of Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, is a one-stop career development program that offers individuals with disabilities a wide range of services designed to provide them with the skills, resources, attitudes, and expectations needed to compete in the interview process, get the job, keep the job, and develop a lifetime career. This program provides comprehensive rehabilitation services that go far beyond those found in routine job training programs. To learn more about the Vocational Rehabilitation program, write or call:

Vocational Rehabilitation
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
Baton Rouge Regional Office
3651 Cedarcrest Ave
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816-4010
voice and TDD: 225-295-8900
toll-free in state: 800-737-2959

Competitive Employment

Vocational and Habilitative Services are provided to individuals over the age of 22 through contractual agreements with private providers throughout the state of Louisiana. Services include individual and group employment in the community or at various work sites and facilities, training in vocational and social skills needed to gain and sustain employment, and daytime activities.

Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals
1201 Capitol Access Road
P. O. Box 629
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821-0629
Phone: 225-342-0095
Fax: 225-342-8829

Health and Safety

Using a free consultation service largely funded by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers can find out about potential hazards at their worksites, improve their occupational safety and health management systems, and even qualify for a one-year exemption from routine OSHA inspections. Primarily targeted for smaller businesses, this safety and health consultation program is completely separate from the OSHA inspection effort.

21(d) Consultation Program
Louisiana Department of Labor
1001 N. 23rd Street, Room 421
P. O. Box 94040
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-9094
Phone: 225-342-0720
Fax: 225-342-6756

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Louisiana Area Office provides safety and health protections to most private sector workers and state and local government employees within the state. OSHA investigates complaints about workplace safety and health hazards. For further information contact:

Baton Rouge Area Office
Occupational Safety and Health
9100 Bluebonnet Centre Blvd., Suite 201
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809
Phone: 225-298-5458
Fax: 225-298-5457

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

The Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS), Adult Protective Services (APS) is designated by the Louisiana Department of Hospitals (DHH) as the agency responsible for carrying out the mandate of Louisiana Revised Statute 14:403.2 with regard to adults with disabilities ages 18-59 and emancipated minors who live in unlicensed and non-regulated settings and for managing the protective services programs in DHH administered facilities.

Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals
Office of Aging and Adult Services
Adult Protective Services
628 N. 4th Street
P. O. Box 3518 - Bin #11
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821
Phone: 225-342-9057
800-898-4910
Fax: 225-342-9069
For hearing impaired - LA Relay Service: 800-846-5277 (TDD),
800-947-5277 (Voice)

Protection and Advocacy

The Advocacy Center is the Protection and Advocacy System for the State of Louisiana. The Advocacy Center believes in the dignity of every life, and in the freedom of all people to experience the highest degree of self-determination. Embracing this philosophy, the Advocacy Center protects and advocates for the human and legal rights of persons living in Louisiana who are elderly or disabled.

Advocacy Center
100 Common Street, Suite 2600
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
Phone: 800-960-7705