New Horizons offers four core independent living services, deaf and hard of hearing services, employment services, transportation services, mental health counseling services, an attendant training program, and attendant services to people with disabilities in the 29 parishes of North Louisiana. We also provide support for people with disabilities who are considering transitioning from a nursing home or other institution. Services and programs are directed from our main office in Shreveport and from satellite offices in Alexandria and Monroe, in the homes of consumers, and in the community. The primary focus of all of the services and programs is toward "enabling people with disabilities to live independently."
THE FOUR CORE INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES
Information and Referral
This service allows both consumers and the community access to current information about disabilities and treatments, adaptive technology, pending legislation, and professional support and services.
Peer Counseling
Peer Counseling allows our consumers the opportunity to discuss disability related issues, receive encouragement, share thoughts and ideas, and enjoy a social outlet. The majority of our Independent Living Specialists have a disability. We're ready to share our knowledge, experience, and time with you.
Skills Training
Skills Training is an important part of independence. That's why New Horizons offers skills training in adaptive technologies and devices, use of independent living aids, computer skills, household management, managing a personal budget, using public transportation, and more to meet specific needs.
Advocacy
As advocates for people with disabilities, New Horizons helps to ensure that the rights and privileges of its consumers are protected. We teach people with disabilities how to be effective advocates for themselves and enable them to ensure that their own rights and privileges are protected. Our goal is to help people with disabilities positively influence community policies and practices.
DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING SERVICES
New Horizons provides services to the deaf and hard of hearing. Through funding by the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf, New Horizons provides assistive technology services and devices for consumers who can provide documentation of hearing loss, combined hearing and visual loss, or a speech impairment. These services may assist an individual in selecting, acquiring, and using assistive devices and aids for daily living. Interpreters are available by appointment for services funded through the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf and New Horizons. Video Remote Interpreting by certified interpreters through NexTalk is also available. Consumers may call our Sorenson numbers to speak with an Independent Living Specialist. The Video Phone number is 318-459-9233. The ntouch PC number is 318-459-9234. The CapTel number is 318-671-5301.
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
New Horizons is an approved Employment Network through the Ticket to Work Program of Social Security. It is our belief that assisting people with disabilities to find and maintain employment strongly supports our mission of "enabling people with disabilities to live independently." Interested applicants should contact an Independent Living Specialist in the Shreveport office at 318-671-8131 or toll-free 1-877-219-7327.
LOAN CLOSET
New Horizons also maintains a Loan Closet for consumers who are in need of equipment such as manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and durable medical equipment such as hospital beds, bedside toilets, shower benches, canes, crutches, and other aids for daily living. New Horizons accepts donations of equipment to our Loan Closet from community donors, and through these donations, others are helped. If you are in need of these services or wish to make a donation, please contact the office in the area closest to where you live.
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
New Horizons recognizes that the need for transportation for people with disabilities can be a barrier to independent living. New Horizons is committed to providing accessible transportation for basic shopping, social service appointments, recreation, and employment. Consumers are asked to complete a brief application before making arrangements with our Transportation Coordinator. There is a small fee for transportation services. Additional information is available by telephoning 318-820-1177 or contacting the Transportation Coordinator at the New Horizons Shreveport office. Decisions on transportation services are made without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, marital status, religion, income status, or disability.
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING SERVICES
New Horizons not only provides peer counseling (one of the four core services of our independent living center) but also addresses mental and emotional issues which may be adversely impacting daily functioning. Individual and group services are provided by a Licensed Professional Counselor.
ATTENDANT TRAINING
The New Horizons Community Education Center offers training focused on "enabling people with disabilities to live independently through community education." This program prepares caregivers and potential caregivers to provide the support needed for people with disabilities to be able to receive personal assistance in their homes. The NHILC Community Education Center also provides CPR and First Aid training. The Community Education Center classroom is located at 8510 Line Avenue, Suite B, Shreveport, LA 71106. Additional information may be obtained by visiting the New Horizons Community Education Center or by contacting the Director of Training at 318-869-4300, toll-free 1-877-330-4301.
ATTENDANT SERVICES
Attendants are employed to provide routine service to the consumer that enables him/her to conduct the activities of daily living. Generally those activities are: ambulation, bathing, grooming, dressing, eating, transferring, toileting, cooking, laundry, feeding, house cleaning, and assuring health and safety. There may be other activities of daily living that the attendant can perform.
In order to assist people with disabilities in maintaining their independence in the home, New Horizons offers both waiver and non-waiver services funded through Medicaid, private pay attendant services, and State Personal Assistance Services through Louisiana Rehabilitation Services.