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
f. Arrangements and Cooperative Agreements for the Provision of Supported Employment Services
Describe the designated State agency’s efforts to identify and make arrangements, including entering into cooperative agreements, with other State agencies and other appropriate entities in order to provide supported employment services and extended employment services, as applicable, to individuals with the most significant disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities.
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. OBH will refer individuals with behavioral health conditions in need of LRS services in order to achieve a competitive and integrated employment outcome. LRS will fund the Job Coach Model and Evidenced-Based Employment Service Model for the chronically mentally ill to provide supported work services that will assist these consumers in achieving competitive integrated employment. These services will be provided, either directly or through a service provider, to these individuals and will include: (1) ongoing support services including customized employment, (2) assessment of employment stability and transition to extended services and, (3) extended follow-along services for youth with the most significant disabilities in supported employment for a period not to exceed four years or until the youth turns age 25. LRS is working with partner agencies to amend and update agreements.
Approximately two hundred and fifty (250) consumers could be referred to LRS by OBH for employment services during each fiscal year. Once eligibility for supported employment services has been determined and an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) for supported employment services has been developed by LRS, there is continued collaboration with OBH to ensure that services are provided in an effective manner. OBH assists with the provision of training on behavioral health services upon request by LRS to enhance the quality of services provided to individuals with behavioral health conditions seeking competitive integrated employment. 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.
While consumers are being served by LRS under an IPE, LRS is responsible for the provision of services as outlined in the IPE. The consumer and VR counselor must determine when the individual is ready to transition to extended services and must maintain employment for a minimum of 90 days after transitioning to extended services before the case can be closed. The LRS vendor chosen by the consumer using informed choice will provide on-going supports and follow-along services, which includes extended follow-along services not funded by LRS, as well as extended services funded by LRS for youth with the most significant disabilities up to four years or until the youth turns age 25 when other public funding through OBH is not available. Any problems which might impact the ultimate success of job placement shall be immediately brought to the attention of LRS and OBH. LRS shall maintain an open, active case on each consumer in accordance with guidelines which has been established for each of the job placement 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 intellectual/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 and Evidenced-Based Employment Service Model for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities to provide supported work services that will assist these consumers in achieving competitive integrated employment. These services will be provided, either directly or through a service provider, to these individuals and will include: (1) ongoing support services including customized employment, (2) assessment of employment stability and transition to extended services and; (3) extended follow-along services for youth with the most significant disabilities in supported employment when funding from waiver services are not available, for a period not to exceed four years or until the youth turns age 25. The OCDD will provide extended services for consumers who receive Medicaid Waiver services and have identified extended services as needed on their plan of care, if this service is available through their waiver. When individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities who receive waivers and are interested in competitive integrated employment are denied LRS services, or are determined eligible for LRS services in an Order of Selection category not currently being served, the OCDD will provide Supported Employment services.
Approximately three hundred (300) consumers could be referred by OCDD for supported employment services during each year. Once eligibility for supported employment services has been determined and an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) for supported employment services has been developed by LRS, there is continued collaboration with OCDD to ensure that services are provided in an effective manner. 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.
The LRS counselor, the service provider, and the consumer are principal participants in the provision of services prior to job placement. OCDD is available for consultation and referral, etc. The LRS counselor will attend Person-Centered Planning meetings as needed.
While consumers are being served by LRS under an IPE, LRS is responsible for the provision of services as outlined in the IPE. The consumer and VR counselor must determine when the individual is ready to transition to extended services and must maintain employment for a minimum of 90 days after transitioning to extended services before the case can be closed. The LRS vendor chosen by the consumer using informed choice will provide on-going supports and follow-along services, which includes extended follow-along services not funded by LRS, as well as extended services funded by LRS for youth with the most significant disabilities up to four years or until the youth turns age 25 when other public funding through OCDD is not available. Any problems which might impact the ultimate success of job placement shall be immediately brought to the attention of LRS and OCDD. LRS shall maintain an open, active case on each consumer in accordance with guidelines which has been established for each of the job placement program models.
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
- Louisiana Department of Education
- Office of Workforce Development
- Employment Networks 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.