Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan [13] must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA:
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[13] Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)(iii) of WIOA
d. 2. C. Roles and responsibilities, including financial responsibilities, of each agency, including provisions for determining State lead agencies and qualified personnel responsible for transition services;
Current Narrative:
Current LRS policy and guidelines address the allocation of 15% of State’s VR federal allotment for the provision of Pre-Employment Transition Services to high school students with disabilities between the ages of 16 - 21 who are eligible or potentially eligible for VR services. The required Pre-Employment Transition Services include: workplace readiness training, job exploration counseling; work-based learning experiences; counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary education programs at institutions of higher education; and instruction in self-advocacy. LRS makes Pre-Employment Transition Services available to students with disabilities statewide through Third-Party Cooperative Arrangements, fee for services agreements with Community Rehabilitation Programs, and direct services provided by Rehabilitation Counselors.
LRS and LDOE have a State-Level Memorandum of Understanding outlining agency responsibilities regarding the provision of Pre-Employment Transition Services for students with disabilities within the Louisiana Public School System that are potentially eligible or eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation, as well as the provision of VR services related to the achievement of agreed-upon vocational goals for students who are also eligible participants of the VR program who are placed in an Order of Selection Category currently being served. The agreement does not reduce the obligation under IDEA of a Local Education Agency (LEA) or any other agency to provide or pay for transition services, including Pre-Employment Transition Services. The LDOE and LEA will use appropriate federal, state, and local funds for the provision of educational services on the approved IEP that relates directly to the achievement of the agreed-upon educational goal. LWC/LRS and LDOE agreed to the use of available federal, state and local funds to accomplish the transition goals in the State-Level Agreement between LWC/OWD/LRS and LDOE, dated July 1, 2019.