Narrative: d. 2. O. vii.

LRS continues to collaborate with the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) in identifying effective ways to integrate services in the Career Solution Centers and to be involved with its sixteen (16) Workforce Development Areas. LRS is represented on each of the 16 boards and attends meetings as scheduled. There are sixteen (16) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) established with each of the 16 Workforce Development Boards (WDBs). Within the 16 Workforce Development Areas, 63 Career Solution Centers have been established. Sixteen cost allocation plans have been completed by the WDBs, and approved by all parties. LRS has a good working relationship with the Career Solution Centers and continues to pay expenses to the local Career Solution Centers for our participation, as per the local cost allocation plans. To improve knowledge regarding assistive technology and address other accessibility issues, LRS’ Program Coordinator for Rehabilitation Technology continues to provide consultation to the Career Solution Centers. In addition, our agency’s REDS serve as the LRS liaison for all Career Solution Centers within their region and include providing “LRS Public Awareness” as well as services to consumers such as job seeking skills techniques and employment development. LRS and LWC are committed to the success of the Career Solution Centers and work collaboratively to serve individuals with disabilities at assigned Centers.

LRS continues to renew and revise existing local cooperative agreements, as applicable, with the 70 school districts and 104 Charter Schools in Louisiana. As part of the State Transition Plan, the Department of Education (DOE) and LRS continue to work together to establish Regional Core teams throughout the state. The LRS’ Transition Program Coordinator continues to collaborate and partner with DOE, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD), Work Incentive Planning Program, Office of Community Services, LWC, and the Office of Youth Development in an effort to network, share information and utilize comparable benefits to enhance VR services to transition students. The primary focus of LRS’ collaboration is to identify and address barriers (e.g. policies, eligibility process, resource allocation); assure effective service provision through the support of local interagency core teams, provide cross–agency training, outreach, engage in capacity building of young adults and family outreach efforts; provide continued support of innovative models and practices related to transition; and provide information and technical assistance. The Program Coordinator provides guidance and information to the Rehabilitation Counselors regarding specific transition issues. The Program Coordinator workd collaboratively with CURRENTS’ Coordinator, Peggy Hale, using monthly conference calls, to discuss transition topics and provide information to LRS’ field offices. The Training Unit developed a School–to–Work Job Readiness curriculum and has trained staff to implement the curriculum with eligible students. Training will continue to be provided statewide. VR Counselors are encouraged to provide services at least once a month, when feasible, to students determined appropriate for job readiness training.

As LRS continues to focus on increasing/enhancing quality employment outcomes, every Regional Office now has a REDS position or an Employment Specialist that provides job development/placement assistance to consumers. This assistance may include direct job placement, job shadowing, work experience, on the job training, or custom solutions.

In addition, a State Office position was hired to coordinate employment activities statewide. The Employment Initiative Program Coordinator serves as LRS’ direct contact to the VR Business Network and distributes job leads and information to the regional offices. In FY 2015, the VR Business Network provided job leads from all over the country. Some of the job leads were from the following companies: Walgreen’s, Lowe’s, Black Hills Corp., TJX Companies, Office Max, Wells Fargo, Hershey Company, DOL, Manpower, Inc., USDA, Marriott International, and many others.

LRS continues to participate with OCDD in the “Employment First” initiative, which was designed to provide employment as a first option for persons with developmental disabilities, as an alternative to institutionalization, and to provide integration/independence in the community.

LRS participates in roundtable discussions hosted by OCDD to inform their staff and providers of new requirements related to integration of individuals with developmental disabilities into their communities as a result of new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rules, as well as how to better collaborate with LRS to achieve goals set forth in WIOA.