Feb. 10, 2007

PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN WITH
DISABILITIES IN LOUISIANA NEED YOU
TO CALL / FAX / EMAIL YOUR SUPPORT!

Please send a fax/email or call IMMEDIATELY to
Nichole Dupree, Dr. Susan Berry and Dr. Fred Cerise to request that a
System of Payments Section be included in the 2007 Early Steps State Application that
RECOMMENDS REMOVING THE FAMILY FEE SCHEDULE FROM THE FAMILY COST PARTICIPATION POLICY!!

WE MUST DO THIS NOW BECAUSE IF WE WAIT UNTIL THE GRANT APPLICATION IS POSTED, IT MAY BE TOO LATE...

A recommendation has been made to the State Interagency Coordinating Council to remove the family cost participation policy BUT LEAVE THE CLAUSE IN ALLOWING THEM TO ACCESS PRIVATE INSURANCE.

CONTACT INFORMATION AND A SAMPLE LETTER FOLLOW
....PLEASE DO NOT WAIT TO SEND YOUR EMAILS AND FAXES.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE....CALLS MAY HELP, BUT EMAILS/FAXES ARE BEST
FOLLOW UP PHONE CALLS WITH EMAILS OR FAX IF POSSIBLE.....

CONTACT INFO:
Ms. Nichole Dupree
Early Steps Program Manager
1010 Common Street, Room 1147
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: 504-599-1072
FAX: 504-599-1082
EMAIL: nmdupree@dhh.la.gov


Dr. Susan Berry
Director, Children's Special Health Services
1010 Common Street, Suite 610
New Orleans, LA 70112
PHONE: (504) 568-5055
FAX: (504) 568-7529
EMAIL: sberry1@dhh.la.gov

Dr. Fred Cerise
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals
628 N. 4th Street, P.O. Box 629
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0629
PHONE: (225) 342-9500
FAX: (225) 342-5568
EMAIL: bgulotta@dhh.la.gov

NEW EARLY STEPS MESSAGE BOARD

The DHH board is still up, however, we wanted to have a place to
discuss issues for both parents and for providers without some of the
glitches experienced on the DHH website. Please feel free to join this
EarlySteps group.