equal-access-provider-options-for-parents

Reason(s) for non-compliance: • The Lead Agency does not provide grants or contracts for direct services for children with disabilities, as required by 98.30(b)(1). (Plan Question 4.5.1i). Please note the Lead Agency has an approved waiver for this requirement through August 1, 2026. Overall Target Completion Date: 08/01/2026 Action Step Number Action Step Description Target Completion Date 1 Ask ACF-OCC and peer Lead Agency leaders for clarity about and examples of grants or contracts for direct services for children with disabilities at regional meetings and STAM 08/31/2024 2 Request from our regional office and ACF-OCC TA centers, on our monthly calls, technical assistance to better understand how other states are meeting or planning to meet this requirement, to help us in implementing a plan for Louisiana as well 09/30/2024 3 Begin consulting with stakeholders who specialize in serving the needs of young children with disabilities and their families, to begin considering what such grants or contracts would look like, where they might most be needed, and where young children with disabilities might best be served 04/30/2025 4 Work with the vendor that is building our updated data system, including our subsidy program application process and payments system, on the development of any necessary modules for the administration of grants or contracts for direct services for children with disabilities 09/30/2025 5 Begin piloting some grants or contracts for direct services for young children with disabilities 12/31/2025 6 Assess pilot implementation and make any needed adjustments 06/30/2026