Narrative: a. 1.

The Louisiana Rehabilitation Council (LRC), which is the state rehabilitation council, met with Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) quarterly as a part of the council meeting. During these meetings, LRS provided quarterly updates, and LRC provided input and recommendations to LRS. The LRC incorporates public forums, consumer/counselor interviews, etc., to ensure the services provided by LRS meet the needs of Louisiana’s citizens with disabilities. The LRC uses a committee structure to provide focused review and comment to LRS. These committees are: the Executive committee; the Eligibility and Planning committee; the Employment committee and the Transition committee. Much of the interaction included exchanges of information in order to achieve greater clarity and understanding. While the detail work is done in the committee structure, all comments and recommendations are made from the full LRC.

The following is a list of activities and accomplishments of LRC for the period from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017:

• The LRC produced the annual report which included its accomplishments, as well as consumer success stories.

• Council members received an agency report from LRS Director at each regularly scheduled LRC meeting. Council members asked questions and were provided direct input from the LRS Director and other State Office staff.

• The LRC completed a Consumer Satisfaction Survey in April 2017. The satisfaction rate was 76.5%. LRS consumers that requested to be contacted by a LRC Council member were contacted.

• The Office of Workforce Development Director addressed the Council and discussed re-planning and integration within the organization, making sure the One Step Centers are fully educated about LRS and providing quality services.

• The LRC developed Member Roles and Responsibilities which include visiting at a One Stop Center in their area each year to become familiar with their services to individuals with disabilities and provide feedback to LRS as needed.

• LRS implemented a Council recommendation and included a substance abuse screening tool as a resource in the counselor’s online toolbox and training on the tool was provided to the counselors.

• The LRC continued to provide a forum for consumers and the public the opportunity to openly discuss LRS services and to offer suggestions for improved service delivery. The Council provided feedback to LRS on these ideas and concerns.

• The LRC provided feedback and input regarding the Comprehensive Needs Assessment..

• The Louisiana Workforce Commission webpage continued to be utilized to distribute information about Council activities to include quarterly meeting locations and public forums.

• Regional LRS Offices invited VR consumers to speak to the Council to discuss their experiences regarding Vocational Rehabilitation service provision.

• Council members continued to monitor legislative action for potential impact to the VR program and individuals with disabilities in Louisiana.

• The LRC educated State Legislators during the 2017 Legislative Session on the VR program and the services that benefit the State of Louisiana and its citizens with disabilities.

• Council members are active with other boards and groups statewide that include, but are not limited to, the Statewide Independent Living Council, Governor’s Advisory Council on Disability Affairs, Families Helping Families, Developmental Disability Council, Workforce Investment Council, Special Education Advisory Panel, Brain Injury Association of Louisiana, Metropolitan Human Services District, Developmental Disabilities Regional Advisory Council, Traumatic Head and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund, Blind Vendor Trust Fund Advisory Board, Louisiana Association for Public, Community and Adult Education, etc.