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2 Year Modification

Plan: Louisiana PYs 2022-2023 (Mod)
Combined Plan C

Section: Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

Narrative: i. 3. B.

Published
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:

    __________

    [13] Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)(iii) of WIOA

    • i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development

      Describe the designated State agency's procedures and activities to establish and maintain a comprehensive system of personnel development designed to ensure an adequate supply of qualified State rehabilitation professional and paraprofessional personnel for the designated State unit, including the following:

      • 3. Personnel Standards

        Describe the State agency's policies and procedures for the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards consistent with section 101(a)(7)(B) to ensure that designated State unit professional and paraprofessional personnel are adequately trained and prepared, including:

i. 3. B. The establishment and maintenance of education and experience requirements, in accordance with section 101(a)(7)(B)(ii) of the Rehabilitation Act, to ensure that the personnel have a 21st century understanding of the evolving labor force and the needs of individuals with disabilities.

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2020-2023

Current Narrative:

To ensure Rehabilitation Counselor positions have an adequate background to successfully enter the profession, LRS requires the following minimum qualifications:

  • A baccalaureate degree plus one year of professional level experience in social services, teaching, counseling, human resources, nursing, recreation therapy, music therapy, physical therapy, art therapy, rehabilitation instruction, rehabilitation evaluation, worker's compensation dispute resolution, or job placement/job development involving persons with disabilities.
  • A baccalaureate degree in rehabilitation counseling, vocational evaluation/assessment, social services, social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, guidance and counseling, family and child counseling, education, vocational education, deaf or blind education, rehabilitation education, rehabilitation teaching, nursing, mental health, human services/resources, speech therapy or biomedical engineering will substitute for the one year of required experience.
  • A master's degree in any field will substitute for the one year of required experience

LRS decided not to change the qualification requirements for the entry-level Rehabilitation Counselor positions as there are only two universities in Louisiana that have accredited rehabilitation programs. Changing the entry-level Rehabilitation Counselor qualification requirements would have dramatically affected the ability to fill these positions, particularly those located in more rural areas. To further align with the changes in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and to increase the applicant pool, LRS is in the process of adding Business Administration as one of the accepted degrees for the Rehabilitation Counselor position.

Rehabilitation Counselors at the highest priority for retraining are encouraged to achieve the agency’s CSPD standard per 34 CFR 361.18(c)(1)(ii)(B). Counselors are routinely provided with information on Colleges and Universities offering Master’s in Rehabilitation along with scholarships. LRS offers assistance with books, supplies, registration fees, and outstanding tuition fees not covered by scholarships. LRS also offers an additional Master Counselor level upon completion of a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation, a case review, and additional criteria. This comes with a pay increase of 7%.

The following depicts the educational breakdown of Rehabilitation Counselors on board as of June 30, 2021:

Rehabilitation Counselors - 69

•  Has a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling or a related field - 35

•  Lower priority for retraining - 3

•  Higher priority for retraining - 31

•  Currently enrolled in a Master’s Program - 1

•  Those needing to begin training – 30

The agency recognizes that some employees in the higher priority retraining group will not be able to either pursue their master’s degree or complete all requirements of a master’s degree program. These individuals will not be eligible for advancement to the Master Counselor positions. In addition, to recruit individuals meeting the highest standard, vacancy announcements are shared with local universities and posted on the State Civil Service website. Universities frequently refer students to LRS for internships that may lead to full-time employment and to apply for vacant Rehabilitation Counselor positions. LRS is also in the process of hiring student workers from local universities to provide students in rehabilitation counseling experience at LRS to promote future hiring of these individuals once they graduate and qualify for Rehabilitation Counselor positions.