Narrative: j. 1. A.

Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) assists eligible individuals with disabilities to prepare for, achieve, and retain employment in an integrated community setting. LRS administers the general Vocational Rehabilitation program in Louisiana for the Rehabilitation Services Administration. This comprehensive needs assessment is conducted every three years and focuses on the Vocational Rehabilitation program and needs of individuals who are potentially eligible or eligible for services.

The purpose of the statewide comprehensive assessment, conducted jointly with the Louisiana Rehabilitation Council (LRC), is to describe the rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities residing within Louisiana, particularly the vocational rehabilitation service needs as outlined in the 34 CFR 361.29:

1. Individuals with the most significant disabilities, including their need for supported employment services;

2. Individuals with disabilities who are minorities and individuals with disabilities who have been unserved or underserved by the vocational rehabilitation program carried out under this part;

3. Individuals with disabilities served through other components of the statewide workforce development system as identified by those individuals and personnel assisting those individuals through the components of the system; and

4. Youth with disabilities, and students with disabilities, including:

(a.) their need for pre-employment transition services or other transition services; and

(b.) an assessment of the needs of individuals with disabilities for transition services and pre-employment transition services, and the extent to which such services provided under this part are coordinated with transition services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in order to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.

It must also include an assessment of the need to establish, develop, or improve Community Rehabilitation Programs within the State.

As mandated, LRS and the LRC jointly plan and conduct the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment. The analysis of this CSNA was completed in PY 2021 using the results of data collected during the periods of PYs 2018 - 2020.

METHODOLOGY

Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) utilized a variety of modalities and methodologies to research and collect data to assess and identify the rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities, as well as the need to establish, develop, or improve Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs).

Data from consumers, staff members, workforce partners/stakeholders, transition aged youth and the public at large was obtained. Survey Monkey, accessible survey software available through the internet, was used for all surveys. Surveys were accessible by mobile phone, computer, as well as in hard copy and alternate languages, upon request. The use of on-line surveys assisted LRS in keeping the cost of conducting the needs assessment within budget. Survey links were provided via state websites, newsletters, and social media to solicit participants. 

The Louisiana Workforce Commission’s (LWC) Communications Section solicited participation in LRS’ statewide needs assessment survey utilizing social media. The survey link was published in the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs’ newsletter. The Louisiana Rehabilitation Council was also provided the link and assisted with circulation.  An email account was set up to monitor any questions or comments provided. This email account was monitored by an LRS Bureau Administrator.

LRS stakeholders, consumers, staff members, and workforce partners were emailed a link inviting participation in the survey for themselves and the individuals they serve. All respondents were ensured of the confidentiality of information provided.

In addition to the surveys conducted by LRS, data was accessed from a wide range of publicly available resources including the United States Census Bureau, the American Census Surveys (ACS), and the 2020 Disability Compendium.

Eight hundred twenty-eight survey responses were received. In addition, one hundred and four LRS employees responded to total nine hundred and thirty-two respondents. 

Louisiana Rehabilitation Council (LRC) Joint Collaboration

In order to collaborate with the state rehabilitation council on the completion of the survey, LRS staff attended LRC meetings to discuss the needs assessment, requirements of 34 CFR 361.29 and the methods used to gather the data needed.  

The LRC/LRS liaison distributed the draft survey instruments to LRC members soliciting their input. Comments and suggestions provided by the LRC contributed to the final version of the survey.  The LRC also assisted LRS in the distribution of the surveys. As LRS continues to analyze the data obtained, the council will assist in determining goals and activities required to address areas of identified needs.  

Target Populations

Target populations for the survey included consumers, transition aged youth, staff members, vendors, workforce partners, the LRC, stakeholders and the general public. The survey link was provided for access by the public through the Louisiana Workforce Commission and Governor’s Office for Disability Affairs social media sites and newsletters. LRS solicited and received feedback from these target populations.

Consumer Surveys

Louisiana Rehabilitation Services emailed survey links to VR and Pre-ETS applicants and consumers statewide. The survey links were sent to individuals from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds, unserved/underserved populations and individuals with the most significant disabilities. Surveys were also sent to youth and students with disabilities to determine their specific needs.

Surveys included an introduction explaining the purpose and an invitation to participate. Recipients were ensured of confidentiality of all information submitted.

The consumer survey instrument was designed to:

• Be easily read and understood
• Be accessible
• Be completed by the individual or parent/guardian/advocate
• Encourage completion (online or mobile phone survey)
• Provide anonymity

Questions on the survey were developed with input from the LRC to access the needs of individuals with most significant disabilities, the unserved/underserved, those being served through workforce partners, students with disabilities and to determine the need to establish, develop, and expand CRPs within the state.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Consumer Survey

LRS received 532 responses from individuals currently receiving or that previously received LRS services. Of this number, 64.8% percent of respondents identified themselves as individuals with disabilities; 27.6% were identified as a parent, guardian or advocate of an individual with a disability; 6.7% as a youth or student with a disability in high school or post-secondary school; 

Forty-five percent of respondents identified as male and 52% identified as female. One percent identified as non-binary and the remainder preferred to self-describe their gender. Four percent identified themselves as a veteran. Sixty-one percent of respondents identified themselves as Caucasian; 35% percent as African American; 2.7% as Hispanic or Latino; and 7% as American Indian, Asian, Native Pacific Islander or Other. Multiple races were selected for some.

The predominant age of respondents was between the ages 16-22 years (22%); followed by the ages of 41 - 50 (19%); ages 23 - 30 (18%); ages 31 - 40 years (17%); ages 51 - 60 (14.8%); ages 61 - 70 (8%); and ages 70 and over (1%).

Approximately 44% percent of respondents indicated living with parents or guardians; 19% percent of respondents indicated living with a partner or spouse; 20.6% lived alone; 14.5% lived with their children; 6.6% with a roommate or other adult.  One percent indicated that they were homeless or incarcerated.  The remainder listed various other living arrangements such as supported living, with relatives and on-campus in a dormitory.

The top disability categories respondents reported were: ADD/ADHD (17%); Intellectual Disability (16%); Mental Illness (16.5%); Autism (15.6%); Psychological/Behavioral (12.8%); Orthopedic/Mobility (12.6%); Hard of Hearing (12%); Specific Learning Disability (9%); and Blindness (8%).

Educational levels of respondents were as follows: 28% had either a high school diploma or a GED; 26% had some college training; 18.5% had a 4-year degree; 12% had a 2-year degree/technical college; 8% had either a master’s or doctoral degree; and 5% indicated that they completed some high school. Less than two percent indicated having no formal education.

Thirty-seven percent of respondents indicated being employed; 26% were students; 20% were out of work/looking for work, and 11% noted that they are unable to work.  Approximately 5% noted being self-employed and the remainder noted that they were retired, a homemaker or were not currently looking for work.

The primary source of income reported included SSI/SSDI (45%); own employment (30%); parent/guardian’s income (19%), and public assistance (4.8%).

Twenty-nine percent of respondents reported an average household yearly income of less than $10,000; 20% reported an income of $50,000 and over; 14% received $15,001 - $25,000; 13.6% reported receiving $10,001 - $15,000; 10% received $25,001 - $35,000; 6% received $40,001 - $50,000; and 5% received $35,001 - $40,000.

When asked “If employed, are you earning minimum wage or above?” 37% of respondents answered that they did not earn above minimum wage and 35% indicated that they did earn above minimum wage.

Workforce Partner Agencies, Stakeholders & The General Public

LRS solicited input from identified workforce partners, stakeholders and the general public. Two hundred and fifty-eight individuals completed the survey.

Forty-one percent of respondents reported being a parent or guardian of an individual with a disability; 34% of respondents were service providers; 18.6% reported having a disability themselves; and 12% were advocates. All of the above respondents reported that they had never received services from LRS.

The gender of survey respondents was reported as 31% female and 64.7% male, with the remainder choosing to self-describe their gender. Approximately 4% indicated being a veteran. When asked about their race/ethnicity, 70.8% identified themselves as Caucasian; 24.7% as African American; 7% as American Indian/Alaskan Eskimo, Asian or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander; and 4.7% Hispanic or Latino.

Nineteen percent of respondents were between 16 - 22 years old; 19% were between 31 - 40 years old; 19% were between 41 – 50; 15.6% were between 23-30; 14% were between 51 - 60 years old; 11% were between 61 - 70 years old; years old; 1% were 70 years of age or older.

When asked about their current living situation, respondents indicated the following: 34% live with a parent or guardian; 33% reported living with a spouse or partner; 22% live with children; 16% live alone; 4% live with a roommate/other adult and 1.5% indicated that they are homeless or institutionalized.

The educational level of respondents was noted as follows: those with a 4-year college degree (24.5%); with a master’s or doctoral degree (20%); with either a high school diploma or a GED (17.7%); with some college training (9.6%); with a 2-year associates or technical college degree (8.6%) and those who indicated that they did not complete high school (6%).

Thirty-eight percent of respondents indicated that their primary source of income is from their own employment; 35.6% indicated receiving SSI/SSDI; 19% indicated relying on the income of a parent/guardian; 11% rely on their spouse’s wages; 2.5% indicated that they are self-employed and all others indicated receiving public assistance or other income such as retirement income/pension.

The average household yearly income received was $50,001 and over for 44.5% of respondents; less than $10,000 for 20.6%; $40,001 - $50,000 for 9.7%; $15,001 - $25,000 for 8%; $10,001 - $15,000 for 7%; $25,001 - $35,000 for 5%; and $35,001 - $40,000 for 4%.

LRS Employee Survey

LRS sent survey links via email to all staff members (159) including administrative, support, and direct service delivery. The online surveys ensured staff of confidentiality and anonymity.

One hundred and four LRS employees from offices statewide responded to surveys. Of the respondents, 28% have worked for LRS for less than 5 years; 27% have worked for LRS for 11 - 15 years; 14% have worked for LRS for 16 - 20 years; 12% have worked for the agency for over 25 years; 11% have worked for the agency 21 - 25 years; and 8% have worked for the agency 6 – 10 years.

Sixty-two percent of respondents have a Master’s degree; 25% have their Bachelor’s degree; 5% have a two year Associates or technical college degree; 4% have some college; and 2% have a Doctoral degree; and less than 1% have their high school diploma or GED.

Primary respondents to the survey were Rehabilitation Counselors (41%); Counselor Associates (15%); and Program Specialists/Coordinators/Managers (15%).

General findings from Consumer Survey:

Survey respondents universally stated that training should be provided to LRS staff, vendors and legislators regarding the vocational rehabilitation program, service provision and budgetary needs; that more staff should be hired to increase capacity to serve; and that more vendors are needed. Respondents indicated that more consumers need LRS services and could be served if additional state dollars could be secured to match the federal funding available to the state.

Upon reviewing survey information of individuals receiving SSI/SSDI, the top needs identified by respondents included job placement (39%); vocational guidance and career counseling (30%); job readiness skills (30%); job coaching (27%); benefits planning (27%); equipment for work (27%) and transportation (26%). They identified barriers to employment as being the fear of losing their government benefits (54%), lack of employer acceptance of their disability (50%), lack of transportation (41%); lack of public services (40%); adjustment to disability (36%); and lack of long term support (34%).

Respondents receiving supported employment services identified the following as needs not being met, services after employed/post-employment services (22%); transportation (20%); training/tuition assistance (14%); job placement (13%); equipment for work (13%); mental health counseling (12%); and benefits planning (11%).

The barriers to employment identified by respondents receiving supported employment services included the fear of losing government benefits (48%); lack of transportation (37%); employer acceptance of their disability (34%); lack of public resources (32%); lack of long term support (33%); lack of housing (29%); personal adjustment to the disability (28%); and the lack of medical insurance/care (27%).