This legislation, signed in June of 2022, establishes the Louisiana Postsecondary Inclusive Education Fund, which will finance the creation of comprehensive inclusive postsecondary education programs at all of Louisiana’s public postsecondary education institutions. The programs must be federally approved, and provide postsecondary degree, certificate, and apprenticeship programs aimed at promoting independent living and employment opportunities. Institutions can use money from the Fund to create, coordinate, and expand their inclusive programs. The 2022-23 fiscal appropriations included $1,000,000 payable out of the State General Fund by the Statutory Dedications out of the Higher Education Initiatives Fund to the Board of Regents Program.
The Fund will also sponsor technical assistance to new programs and support dissemination of public information on inclusive postsecondary education options to students with developmental disabilities and their families. The legislation also creates the Postsecondary Inclusive Education Advisory Council, which will develop the application process for Louisiana public postsecondary education institutions when they seek money from the Fund. The Council will develop the annual application process, review applications, and determine the amount of funds each inclusive program receives. It will also advise the Louisiana Board of Regents on inclusive postsecondary education and how to fund and expand inclusive programs.
The Council will consist of two gubernatorial appointees with expertise in postsecondary education for students with IDD, two appointees from the chairs of the state Senate and House Committees on Education, the Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education, the presidents of the Louisiana’s higher education institution systems, the director of Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, an alumnus/alumna of an inclusive program, and a parent of a student in an inclusive program. The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council will select the inclusive program alumnus/alumna and parent who serve on the Council. The Board of Regents will share information from the Council in a report to committees in the Louisiana state legislature. It will include details about all comprehensive inclusive postsecondary education programs sponsored by the Fund, including the number of students enrolled or on a waitlist, completion rates, services offered through the program, and long-term student outcomes (e.g. employment rates, independent living, etc.). The report will also document how funds were allocated to different program and clarify request for future finances.