By Bonnie Culverhosue
It takes one to know one, which is why C. Chanel Jackson is executive director of Region 7 of Families Helping Families.
“It’s because of my son,” Jackson told members of Minden City Council during a recent workshop. After she was told her child could no longer attend daycare because “he’s not like the other kids,” Jackson removed her parental glasses and began to look at him developmentally.
And after her child tested positive for a form of autism, Jackson began to dig into finding tools for her child to be successful and how to find help for both of them, which led her to Families Helping Families.
She’s worn her director’s hat for 17 years now, helping families keep their children – and other family members – at home with financial aid, as well as training and support.
Families Helping Families is headquartered in Shreveport/Bossier but serves Webster and eight other parishes in north Louisiana.
“We work with individuals with disabilities and families that have kids and loved ones with disabilities,” Jackson said. “All our services that we provide are free.”
Jackson pointed out that “disabilities” does not mean only physical issues.
“Disabilities come in all shapes and sizes,” she said. “One of the major disabilities we are seeing at this time is autism, which is something you can’t always see.”
Autism is diagnosed more frequently today than in previous decades. Recent CDC data shows the prevalence of autism among 8-year-old children in the U.S. is now 1 in 31, a significant increase from 1 in 36 in 2020 and 1 in 110 in 2006. Experts largely attribute this rise to improved screening, broader diagnostic criteria, and better recognition of symptoms, rather than a true epidemic.
Families Helping Families is hosting “Arms Around Autism” Acceptance Walk, scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 9 a.m. at Miller Quarters Park in Minden. The event aims to bring awareness and acceptance for individuals on the autism spectrum while offering an uplifting morning of unity and positivity.
It is the first autism walk to take place in the area and will provide resources to families.
“This is going to be a free event for families and vendors,” she said. “We don’t want any barriers where people can’t come and participate.”
The Acceptance Walk, organized as part of April’s national observance of Autism Awareness and Acceptance, encourages participants of all ages to come together and show their support for families and individuals impacted by autism.
To learn about state and local resources to help with disabilities, contact Families Helping Families at 318-226-4541, 877-226-4541, www.fhfregion7.com or info@fhfregion7.com .