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Commission Board Information

The commission board, in accordance with RS 46:2351, consists of qualified and knowledgeable members with experience which enables them to represent the concerns, needs, and recommendations of d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing persons.  This board is established as a separate and distinct body to support the work of the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf and to advocate on behalf of d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing communities and their families.

Commission Board Public Meetings

Louisiana Commission for the Deaf meets quarterly to help guide program efforts and activities. Commission members include d/Deaf and hard of hearing representatives, parents of d/Deaf children, and representatives from related state organizations.

2023 LCD Commission Board Meetings will take place on the following dates from 9:00am - 1:00 pm. These meetings are open to the public.

To view meetings via livestream, please visit  https://house.louisiana.gov/H_Video/HD/HCR4

Minutes from previous meetings can be found here.

Live Meeting Captioning can be found here

 Upcoming Meeting for year of 2023: please click on the date below to view the agenda

• January 20, 2023
• April 21, 2023
• July 21, 2023
• October 20, 2023

 Parking Information: 

• Parking: Street parking may be available around the Capitol.  Parking may also be found in front of the Claiborne Building at 1201 N 3^rd, Baton Rouge, La 70802

Additonal Meetings

• Not yet to be announced 

Current Commissioners

Below are our current LCD Commissioners. Click a commissioner's name or image to learn more about them. 

		Dr.Natalie Deglado Chairperson Deaf Representative Appointed by Governor in 2022				Jay Isch Vice-Chairperson Deaf Representative Appointed by Governor in 2016
		Dr. Ashley Argrave-Smith Secretary Professional Representative Appointed by Governor in 2020				Senator Sharon Hewitt President of the Senate Designee since 2020
		Representative Scott McKnight Speaker of the House of Representatives Designee since 2021				Melissa Bayham LA Workforce Commission Designee since 2019
		Sherry Powell Department of Children and Family Services Designee since 2022				Davondra Brown LA Department of Health Designee since 2022
		Cammy Gaspar Parent of Deaf Child  Appointed by Governor since 2022				Louisiana School for the Deaf VACANT
		Denise Crochet LA Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf President Designee since 2022				Jimmy Challis Gore LA Association of the Deaf President since 2019
		Brad Wellons Hard of Hearing Representative Appointed by Governor in 2020				Bambi Polotzola Director of Governor's Office of Disability Affairs Designee since 2022
		Sajata Varner Office of Behavioral Health Designee since 2022				Megan Wimberly DeafBlind Representative Appointed by Governor in 2022
		Marissa Ramos Professional Representative Appointed by Governor in 2022				Lynne Gomez Dept of Education Designee since 2022

Other Information

• Member Roles and Responsibilities
• How to Become a Commissioner: In order to apply to serve on a board or commission you must first fill out this application. Once it is completed, send an email to Ms. Roz Moore at Roz.Moore@la.gov to ensure she has it on record. These positions are appointed by the Governor. If you are elected, you will be notified the Louisiana Boards and Commissions Office.
• Learn more about LCD

 lcd@la.gov | 1-800-256-1523 | (VP): (225) 228-1203 | PO Box 3214, Baton Rouge, LA, 70821