FOLLOW THE BILL LOUISIANA!

FOLLOW THE BILL LOUISIANA! -
Keeping Tabs on the Louisiana Legislative Agenda on Education

Can we talk about education?

Visit Follow The Bill Louisiana! to join a live conversation on the home page, while you watch a live video of the current legislative proceedings in another window.

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by Lee Barrios

Geaux Teacher!

Transforming Louisiana's Long Term Supports and Services System

WEBINARS

There are three webinars scheduled to give the public an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback to the Department on MLTSS. Prior to the webinars, the access information will be posted here.



Video Presentation from DHH Secretary, Kathy Kliebert



Powerpoint Presentation

• Monday, February 17, 2014, 5-7pm
• Tuesday, February 18, 2014, 1-3pm
• Wednesday, February 19, 2014, 9:30-11:30am

Public Forum Meetings

There are three public forum meetings scheduled around the state to give the public an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback to the Department on MLTSS. The first will be in Alexandria, followed by Shreveport and New Orleans. The meetings will begin with a brief presentation by Secretary Kliebert, followed by 90 minutes of questions from the public.



Tuesday, February 25

10:30am: Alexandria Public Forum

5:00pm: Shreveport Public Forum

Wednesday, February 26

12:30pm: New Orleans Public Forum

Comments, questions and feedback

may also be submitted by email to LongTermCare@la.gov.




Over the past decade, the Department of Health and Hospitals has engaged stakeholders in a comprehensive effort to reform long-term support and services (LTSS) by striking the appropriate balance between providing care in institutional and community settings, improving quality of care, expanding service options, and addressing financial sustainability. In December 2012, DHH issued a Request for Information seeking creative, innovative and viable strategies to move forward with its next phase of delivering coordinated care through the creation of a new managed long-term supports and services (MLTSS) program. On Friday, August 30, 2013, DHH published its initial concept paper outlining the principles and foundation of the LTSS transformation and to provide a framework for ongoing stakeholder feedback and engagement.



Public comments and feedback are being accepted at LongTermCare@la.gov.




(video Presentation) Transforming Louisiana's Long Term Supports and Services System - YouTube












Department of Health & Hospitals | State of Louisiana















Additional Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals info. on Long-Term Care (LTSS and MLTSS) is available at  http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/2860 and at http://www.dhh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/1694.





















Related info.




Medicaid Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS)




MLTSS AND CARE COORDINATION: WHY WE SHOULD ALL BE PAYING ATTENTION | Parent Perspectives on MLTSS by Karen Scallan


MLTSS AND NETWORK NARROWING: A New and Concerning Trend?      
     

Louisiana MLTSS ADVISORY GROUP Update 1-13-2014

Louisiana MLTSS Update 12-17-2013

Why “Parent Perspectives on MLTSS”?

Managed Care for Long-Term Supports and Services: What You Need to Know DHH Seeks Feedback on Managed Care for Supports and Services  National Council on Disability Issues Policy Recommendations for Medicaid Managed Care for People with Disabilities Position on Health Care for People with Developmental Disabilities Position on Self-determination of People with Developmental Disabilities Position on Community Support for People with Developmental Disabilities Putting Consumers First: Promising Practices for Medicaid Managed Long-Term Services and Supports National Council on Disability Issues Policy Recommendations for Medicaid Managed Care for People with Disabilities

The Advocate - Long Term Care (search results)

Jindal looks to privatize health care programs | News | The Advocate ... Sep 16, 2013 ... Managed care is being used around the country, but it's new to the arena of long- term support and services, said Nancy McPherson, state ...

Report: Louisiana nursing homes second worst in U.S. | Home | The ...

Aug 15, 2013 ... Louisiana nursing home care ranked second-worst in the nation, failing ... Care, a nonprofit group whose goal is to improve long-term care.

Team Gleason proves there are No White Flags | Saints | The ... Sep 12, 2013 ... The facility is a state-of-that-art long-term care housing center for people with ALS , a deadly debilitating disease. Team Gleason House will ... Advocacy Center letter File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat Oct 21, 2013 ... His doctor has stated that he needs Hospice care in order to return ... based services, such as long-term personal care services, while they are ... Print article - Print preview Oct 6, 2013 ... Efforts are just getting underway to develop the state's approach to privatization of its long-term care for the elderly, developmentally disabled ... Changing culture of care | People | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA Apr 17, 2013 ... “The bulk of our work to date has been in de-institutionalizing the culture and environment of today's nursing homes and other long-term care ... Letter: Mental health laws inhumane | Opinion | The Advocate ... Sep 17, 2013 ... In this state, patients with mental illness who have insurance find long-term care in private clinics. The uninsured go to jail. This is discriminatory ... War medicine helping Boston bomb victims | Home | The Advocate ... Apr 17, 2013... and their sacrifices have led to advances in the immediate and long-term care of survivors, as well in the quality of prosthetics that are now so ... Health and Fitness | Baton Rouge news, sports and entertainment ... My mom has been taking care of her sister who has Alzheimer's, and I think it is taking a toll on her. .... Choosing the right long-term care facility can be … Print article - Print preview Feb 17, 2013 ... The 15-member commission is to study how to effectively reform long-term care supports and services and then submit recommendations to ... Letter: Veterans and N.O. hospital issue | Opinion | The Advocate ... Without such close proximity, these and many other benefits will be lost and the long-term care of our veterans and the community at large will lose an important ... As world ages, immigration seen as big boost to U.S. | Home | The ... Jan 30, 2014... AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that most Americans over 40 underestimated the costs of their likely long-term care needs ...

Northshore carnival float thanks wounded veterans

   THE NORTH SHORE ON A SPECIAL FLOAT YOU ARE LIKELY TO SEE MORE THAN ONCE AS THE PARADES ROLL. AND AS NORTH SHORE REPORTER HEATH ALLEN SHOWS US.. THIS ONE WILL MAKE YOU STAND UP AND CHEER. There's something about this float being built here in Slidell that's just a little special, you see it's being built for a group of folks who are special indeed. We just want to give back, do something for those guys who are doing something for us. IN A MARDI GRAS DEN ON THE NORTH SHORE .. WORKERS ARE HARD AT IT.. COMPLETING A FLOAT TO HONOR U-S SERVICE PERSONNEL WOUNDED IN ACTION. AND THEY ARE REACHING OUT NOW.. TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY WOUNDED IN ACTION.. WHO WANT TO RIDE THIS FLOAT IN NORTH SHORE MARDI GRAS PARADES. People who are wounded or maybe have an injury or are wheel chair bound may not have that opportunity, whereas now, because of this float, it is wheelchair accessible. They will always have that opportunity. nat sot THIS IS WHAT THE FLOAT WILL LOOK LIKE.. FROM THE OUTSIDE.. ARTISANS WORK TO CREATE THE SYMBOLIC SOLDIER THAT WILL HEAD THE FLOAT.. BUT IT'S WHAT'S ON THE INSIDE THAT MAKES THIS RIDE SO COOL. A guy's in a wheel chair, he'll be able to roll right up to the side of the float and get closer to the crowd. and actually reach out and hand things to people. THE FLOAT IS THE LATEST IDEA OF NORTH SHORE CONTRACTOR RONNIE NATAL. LAST YEAR.. PRETTY MUCH OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET.. HE STARTED BUILDING THESE FLOATS FOR NORTH SHORE PARADES THAT ACTUALLY STAY ON THE NORTH SHORE. THE IDEA.. NORTHSHORE CREWS WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE FLOATS TRANSPORTED ACROSS THE LAKE. THREE NEW FLOATS ARE BEING ADDED THIS YEAR.. BUT THIS ONE HITS CLOSE TO HOME. He has a brother Randy who was in Afghanistan and just came back, like everyone knows somebody who's in the military. I have a nephew in the military. We're all going to group together and donate all the beads for them and just try to get them on and let them have a great time. YOU'LL LIKELY SEE THIS FLOAT IN THE NORTH SHORE PARADES.. THE SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN RIDE FREE. AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO THIS AREA.. FOR A GROUP OF HEROES.. WHO MEAN SO MUCH MORE. ON YOUR SIDE ON THE NORTH SHORE, HEATH ALLEN WDSU NEWS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN BE A PART OF THE EFFORT.. OR IF YOU KNOW A WOUNDED SERVICE MEMBER WHO WANTS TO RIDE.. JUST LOG ONTO OUR WEBSITE AT WDSU.COM. {transcript}





Watch video with caption at:

Northshore carnival float thanks wounded veterans | Northshore - WDSU Home




























Related articles:

Northshore Parade Schedule

  

Best King Cake on the Northshore

King Cake on the Northshore

Yesterday was a super-fun day for many of us here at Northshore Parent–it was the day we tasted King Cakes from all over the Northshore in order to determine which was the best. Tough job, right? Here’s how we selected which cakes to try: we asked our readers to tell us their favorite cakes and […]

Recipe courtesy of Food Network Kitchens

Recipe courtesy Food Network Magazine  

    

 Mardi Gras King Cake - New Orleans King Cake Shipped Direct ...

Our exciting Who Dat King Cake gets you in the mood for the big game! Based on the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake, our popular oval shaped “Who Dat” cake ...

King Cake

Jules Gluten-Free Flour Does It All (video)

Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe - Gluten Free

                          

                                     

It’s time for king cake, baby | Beaucoup | The New Orleans ...

Festival offers 20 to taste, along with kids’ activities -
Bakers from across the greater New Orleans area will be cutting up this Sunday at the first King Cake Festival, held at Champions Square to benefit, appropriately enough, the pediatric and neonatal departments of Ochsner Medical Center.
The square by the Superdome will be filled with king cake connoisseurs, novices and everyone in between as they reignite the debate over who makes the best king cake in town.
And 20 bakeries will produce their signature cakes.

“Each king cake vendor will submit one king cake for the People’s Choice vote, and in addition to that, each baker can choose to enter into subcategories — the best filled cake, best savory cake, best nontraditional, best baby, and so on,” said Kathleen McCullen, philanthropy department director of events at Ochsner Medical Center, which is sponsoring the event.   And for those who can’t wait until Sunday to get a taste of the cakes, Ochsner is hosting a preview party at the Benson Towers on Saturday, Feb. 8 for $75 which includes food, drinks and king cake tasting.  The New Orleans Advocate.

Gluten-free goodies more common in New Orleans area bakeries ...

The PeaceBaker

Kelly Boffone at her bakery, The PeaceBaker, in Metairie, Friday, December 21, 2012. The bakery is dedicated to producing gluten-free goods.

KC’s Babycakes

vegan, soy, gluten free, sugar free, or anything else? specialty cupcakes and towers, baked fresh daily using quality ingredients

 

 KC's Babycakes (Facebook)

KC's Babycakes (KCsBabycakes) on Twitter

415 N. Columbia St., Covington (inside Columbia Street Natural Foods), 985.400.5050

States With the Best (and Worst) Schools

For years, American students have consistently ranked poorly compared to most developed nations. And according to a recently released study, the U.S. education system remains mediocre, receiving a C− grade, for the third year in a row.

 

Click here to see the states with the best school systems

Click here to see the states with the worst school systems




Education news and research publication Education Week released its 18th annual survey of the status of education in all 50 states. The K-12 Achievement Index is one indicator in Education Week’s “Quality Counts” report that measures key education outcomes and provides ranks and grades for each state based on their commitment to improve educational policies and practices. This year, Massachusetts received the highest score, a B, while Mississippi got an F. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the states with the best and worst scores for K-12 achievement.

The discussion of quality of education often turns quickly to money. It appears that the states with the highest levels of achievement generally also spend more money on education. The states with the top five grades in achievement are all in the top 15 for funding per student, adjusted for the cost of living. Only one of the 10 worst states for student achievement was in the top 15 for spending per student, cost-adjusted.



Read more: States With the Best (and Worst) Schools - 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/special-report/2014/01/14/states-with-the-best-and-worst-schools-2/#ixzz2rBHtypzn
Follow us: @247wallst on Twitter | 247wallst on Facebook






States With the Best (and Worst) Schools - 24/7 Wall St.


Related articles:
States with the Worst Schools (Yahoo Slideshow Gallery)

Final Public Comment on Jump Start Initiative

Superintendent White to Host Forum in Baton Rouge for Final Public Comment on Jump Start Initiative on January 21, 2014 at 5:00PM/CST.  The Forum to receive final public comment on Jump Start will be held at the Baton Rouge Community College Louisiana Board Room, Louisiana Building 201 Community College Drive in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Access  Jump Start - Career Education documents. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Date: 01/20/2014 Contact: Public Affairs, (225) 342-3600, Fax: (225) 342-0193 ***Advisory***Advisory***Advisory***Advisory***Advisory*** SUPERINTENDENT WHITE TO HOST FORUM IN BATON ROUGE FOR FINAL PUBLIC COMMENT ON JUMP START INITIATIVE

BATON ROUGE, La. - Tuesday, State Superintendent of Education John White will host a forum in Baton Rouge with parents, students, educators, community members, and industry leaders to hear final public comment on a draft proposal outlining Jump Start, the state's new program for school districts, colleges, and businesses to collaborate in providing career courses and workplace experiences to high school students, certifying them for the career fields most likely to lead to high- wage jobs.  For nine months, Superintendent White has been touring the state discussing how best to provide every Louisiana student a path to the American middle class.  These meetings represent the final tour and a chance for members of the public to comment on specific policy proposals prior to discussion by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and the State Legislature. Documents outlining the proposal will be posted on the Department's website (http://www.louisianabelieves.com/) for public review and comment for one month starting January 21.

For those interested in viewing the discussion but cannot attend, the event will be streamed live over the internet. Click on the following link for the livestream: www.livestream.com/ldoecomm.

Q & A with the Advocacy Center's Director of Policy & Planning

Meet the People of AC – Stephanie Patrick - Advocacy Center

Common Core standards: Should Gov. Jindal block or defend?

Common Core standards: Should Gov. Jindal block or defend? | NOLA.com#incart_river#incart_river#incart_river#incart_river

LOUISIANA

Latest Education reforms news

• Scientists criticize creationism, Louisiana Science Education Act at conference
• Baton Rouge breakaway district supporters pushing forward with possibility of incorporation
• BESE approves new funding source for online course program
• Bobby Jindal signs school prayer, ACT education legislation into law
• Bobby Jindal signs RSD 'parent trigger' bill into law

Act 3 brings Louisiana early education to a universal standard (video)

 

Currently, early education in Louisiana is very fragmented. This measure aims to change that.
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana State Legislature
Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Watch the video, closed captioning provided.
Act 3 brings Louisiana early education to a universal standard | New Orleans - WDSU Home

Transcript

YOU KNOW WHAT'S CHANGED IN AREA SCHOOLS AND ALSO GIVING YOU TIPS TO MAKE SURE YOUR CHILDREN ARE READY TO HEAD BACK TO CLASS. EARLY EDUCATION IN LOUISIANA IS TAKING ON A NEW SHAPE. "ACT 3" PASSED IN THE 2012 LEGISLATIVE SESSION--AND THE PILOT BEGAN THIS YEAR... CURRENTLY EARLY EDUCATION IS FRAGMENTED -- SO "ACT 3" WILL TRY TO BRING THEM ALL UNDER A UNIFORM STANDARD. WDSU ANCHOR SULA KIM EXPLAINS HOW THE PROGRAM WILL AFFECT YOUR CHILD'S PRE-K OR EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS. 1:45:31 we are on board with this we are excited about this 1:45:36 KRISTI GIVENS, DIRECTOR OF "KIDS OF EXCELLENCE " ATTENDED THE FIRST PILOT MEETING FOR "ACT 3". HER CENTER WAS PICKED TO PARTICIPATE, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER PUBLICLY FUNDED EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS LIKE "HEAD START" AND PRE-K 1:48:06 so they're asking us what do we feel what do we need 1:48:10 RIGHT NOW IN LOUISIANA, EARLY EDUCATION IS A FRAGMENTED SYSTEM, WITH DIFFERENT GUIDELINES. ACT 3 AIMS TO BRING THEM ALL UNDER ONE UMBRELLA...WITH A COMMON STANDARD,SO KIDS ARE ON THE SAME PAGE WHEN THEY ENTER KINDERGARTEN. ONE WAY "ACT 3" PLANS TO RAISE THE BAR IS THROUGH LETTER GRADE ASSESSMENTS. HERE'S HOW... ONE: TEACHERS WILL OBSERVE THE CHILD OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, AND ANALYZE THEIR GROWTH. AND TWO: A THIRD PARTY WOULD COME IN AND OBSERVE TEACHER-CHILD INTERACTION. BASED ON THE DATA GATHERED, A LETTER GRADE WOULD BE ISSUED. BUT HOW THAT GRADE WILL BE COMPUTED--HAS NOT BEEN DECIDED YET. 1:56:26 we hope the state will be wise in the way we create the grade in other words not just what's A, B, and C, but what will create that A 1:56:43 there needs to be other components that are computed in making that grade MELANIE BRONFIN IS WITH THE POLICY INSTITUTE AND A STRONG ADVOCATE OF EARLY EDUCATION. SHE SAYS OTHER FACTORS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED INTO THE ASSESSMENT, LIKE STUDENT TEACHER RATIOS. AND SHE FEELS TEACHER DEVELOPMENT IS CRITICAL IF THIS PLAN IS TO SUCCEED. 1:57:53 it's not just about do we have masters level teachers, do we even have teachers who have any understanding of child development who can then use these assessments to improve quality THOSE ARE ALL QUESTIONS STILL BEING ANSWERED. STATE EDUCATION LEADERS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF COMING UP WITH THE BEST FRAMEWORK, BUT A FEW PARTS ARE STILL UNDETERMINED. 1:59:19 our fear is if we implement too quickly without appropriate funding and infrastructure and support then we won't be able to achieve the outcomes we want to achieve BRONFIN APPLAUDS THE VISION OF ACT 3....SHE JUST HOPE THE GRADING SYSTEM WILL BE FAIR ...AND TEACHERS ARE GIVEN THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR SUPPORT. ON YOUR SIDE SULA KIM WDSU NEWS. THERE WILL MORE MEETINGS UNTIL "ACT 3" OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES DURING THE 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR. THE STATE HAS GIVEN 350 THOUSAND DOLLARS IN GRANT MONEY FOR THE PILOT PROGRAM. AND PRE-K PROGRAMS IN 15 PARISHES PARTICIPATED IN THE MEETINGS INCLUDING ORLEANS, AND ST. TAMMANY PARISH.

Read more: http://www.wdsu.com/news/local-news/new-orleans/Act-3-brings-Louisiana-early-education-to-a-universal-standard/-/9853400/21338500/-/m3wf1q/-/index.html#ixzz2b9RKbjbL

Black History School Programs

Watch 2013 Black History Month celebrations by schools in St. Tammany Parish:

 

 1) 'Black History Month Programs' 2013-03-07 Video File Cypress Cove Elementary in Slidell, Louisiana. [Play media-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzJzGTk-VfE ; Add to iTunes --itpc://www.stpsb.org/feed.php?webcastid=1034]

 

 2) 'Black History Celebration 2013' Abney Elementary in Slidell, LA -http://www.stpsb.org/channel13_view.php?id=1004

 

 

 3) 'In Celebration of Black History Month'
http://www.stpsb.org/channel13_view.php?id=1002

... 4) 'A Celebration of Black History 2013' Folsom Elementary in Folsom, Louisiana - http://www.stpsb.org/channel13_view.php?id=1026 

 5) 'Black History is American History' Tchefuncte Middle School in Mandeville,LA -
http://www.stpsb.org/channel13_view.php?id=1029

 

 6) 'Celebrating Black History Month' Chahta Ima Elementary in Lacombe, Louisiana - http://www.stpsb.org/channel13_view.php?id=1032

 

 7) 'Black History Month Program' Magnolia Trace Elementary in Mandeville, Louisiana - http://www.stpsb.org/channel13_view.php?id=1035

 

 8) 'Black History Month' 2013-01-22 Video File - http://www.stpsb.org/channel13_view.php?id=996

  Award-winning Channel 13 is the educational cable access television station for the St. Tammany Parish Public School System - St. St. Tammany Parish School Board --http://www.stpsb.org/channel13_view.php?id=103via

Praying & Hoping for a Good, Productive and Enjoyable School Year :-)