We are happy to announce that Iberia Parish School District has been selected to become a LASARD Partner District for the next three years beginning this school year.  LASARD, the Louisiana Autism Spectrum and Related Disabilities Project, is a collaborative effort between LSUHSC Human Development Center and the State Department of Education. The broad goals of the Project are:

1. To improve outcomes of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related disabilities
2. To facilitate and sustain highly effective programs and classroom instruction through professional development, coaching and mentoring in the implementation of evidence-based practices.
3. To develop model sites in districts and schools that demonstrate effective, evidence-based practices in instructional programs

To achieve these goals, LASARD will provide professional development, technical assistance and coaching and mentoring at the district, school and classroom levels.  Our district will be assisted to develop and maintain a district level autism team to drive the activities and develop systems for: 1) delivering targeted professional development 2) providing coaching and mentoring in targeted classrooms and 3) providing current ASD evidence-based resources that are accessible to all staff.

We held our first District LASARD Team meeting on August 29^th and our first order of business was to approve an action plan that will outline all of our activities for this school year. We will be providing periodic updates on our accomplishments throughout the year.

For questions or comments about our LASARD District Team activities contact:
Leesa Falterman at (337) 365-2343 ext. 3138