Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan* must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by WIOA:
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* Sec. 102(b)(D)(iii) of WIOA
d. 2. F. Arrangements and Cooperative Agreements for the Provision of Supported Employment Services
Current Narrative:
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) will maintain cooperative agreements on file with the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) and Office of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD), which ensures proper utilization of resources under the Title VI, Part C Program. These agreements are written to comply with the content requirements in 34 CFR 363.50(b) outlining each agency's responsibility in reference to the supported employment program.
A description of each agreement follows:
OFFICE OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (OBH)
LRS and the OBH are jointly responsible for meeting the needs of consumers with mental illness, including youth with the most significant disabilities, for whom supported employment is the most appropriate service. LRS will fund the Job Coach Model and Evidence-Based Employment Service Model for the chronically mentally ill to provide supported work services to assist these consumers in achieving competitive integrated employment. These services will be provided, either directly or through a service provider, as time-limited vocational services to these individuals and will include: (1) short-term evaluation (any evaluation must be supplementary to an evaluation of rehabilitation potential done under the regular program), (2) job development and job placement, (3) intensive training, (4) intensive follow-along, and (5) extended follow-along. LRS is working with partner agencies to amend and update agreements.
Approximately three hundred and fifty (350) consumers could be referred for supported employment services during each fiscal year. Once eligibility for supported employment services has been established, LRS continues to collaborate with OBH to ensure that services are provided in a timely manner and to assure the development of an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The IPE shall specify the responsibilities of all parties involved in the supported employment program for the individual and shall include reporting requirements for both agencies.
During the operational phase, LRS is responsible for the provision of services as outlined in the agreement. The LRS vendor (service provider) is responsible for actual placement, training and supervision. Any problems which might impact the ultimate success of the job placement shall be immediately brought to the attention of LRS and the OBH. LRS shall maintain an open, active case on each consumer in accordance with definitions and guidelines which have been accepted for each of the program models.
LRS agrees to re-open a consumer's case at any point where additional long-term intensive training is needed, (i.e. consumer loses job and must be retrained, consumer promoted or consumer assigned new responsibilities).
OFFICE OF CITIZENS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (OCDD)
LRS and the OCDD are jointly responsible for meeting the needs of consumers with developmental disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities, for whom supported employment is the most appropriate service. LRS will fund the Job Coach Model to provide supported work services to assist these consumers in achieving competitive integrated employment. These services will be provided, either directly or through a service provider, as time-limited vocational services to these individuals and will include: (1) short-term evaluation (any evaluation must be supplementary to an evaluation of rehabilitation potential done under the regular program), (2) job development and job placement, (3) intensive training, (4) intensive follow-along, and (5) limited follow-along.
The OCDD will provide extended services for consumers whose services are funded through contractual agreement with private providers. For consumers whose services are funded through a residential facility, extended services shall be provided by or through that facility.
Approximately three hundred (300) consumers could be referred for supported employment services during each year. Once eligibility for supported employment services has been established, LRS will collaborate with OCDD to ensure that services are provided in a timely manner and to assure the development of an IPE that includes extended services. If extended services are not confirmed, there must be a reasonable expectation that supports, including natural supports will become available. The IPE shall specify the responsibilities of all parties involved in the supported employment program for the individual and shall include reporting requirements for both agencies.
In the initial phase of a supported employment placement, the LRS counselor, the service provider, and the consumer are principal participants in initiating the services. OCDD is available for consultation and referral, etc. The LRS counselor will attend Person-Centered Planning meetings as needed.
During this phase, LRS is responsible for the provision of services as outlined in the agreement. The LRS vendor, or service provider, is responsible for actual placement, training and supervision. The service provider shall immediately bring any problems, which might impact upon the ultimate success of the job placement, to the attention of LRS and OCDD.
LRS agrees to re-open a consumer's case at any point where additional intensive training is needed and is justified in writing, subject to availability of funds. LRS is working with partner agencies to amend and update agreements.
MONITORING AND EXPANSION
LRS will monitor the services provided within the guidelines of the existing cooperative agreements and evaluate if modifications will be needed when they are renegotiated.
LRS will endeavor to provide access to these individuals by establishing agreements with non-profit organizations and/or community or state agencies including the following:
Social Security Administration
Department of Education
Office of Workforce Development
Employment Network of Louisiana
Associations for Citizens with Disabilities
Title VII, Independent Living Centers
Other volunteer organizations and/or resources
- LRS will work towards establishing relationships with employers through the National VR Business Network, Community Rehabilitation Program - Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program, Business Advisory Committees, Business Leadership Networks, other Networks, and Councils to establish collaboration with businesses and corporations in order to facilitate natural supports at the job site.