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
n. 1. Specify the State's goals and priorities for funds received under section 603 of the Rehabilitation Act for the provision of supported employment services
Current Narrative:
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) will utilize Title VI funding to maintain the provision of intensive supported employment services to individuals with the most significant disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities, for the achievement of supported employment outcomes in competitive integrated employment.
The Order of Selection assures that individuals with the most significant disabilities receive priority for vocational rehabilitation services. Supported employment services will be provided to individuals with most significant disabilities in the following categories:
Order of Selection Category I - Severe limitations in four or more functional capacity areas.
The goals and plans of the program will be:
- Expand the availability of customized employment services to individuals with the most significant disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities.
- Enhance the quality of supported employment services by improving the approval process and training requirements and options for contracted community rehabilitation programs and their staff.
- To investigate and provide technical assistance and training opportunities for state office and field office staff to improve the supported employment service delivery system. The field staff will receive supported employment training directed at case management and quality supported employment services.
- To coordinate with the Department of Health (Office of Behavioral Health, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities- Support Waivers Program, and Medicaid Purchase Plan), the Louisiana Chapter of the Association for Persons in Supported Employment (APSE), and the LSU Health Science Center Human Development Center in order to provide input to vendor agencies providing supported employment services and to solicit input from these agencies in the planning and implementation of quality supported employment services.
- To coordinate with other agencies (public and private), employers and advocates to establish multiple options for extended services, including the use of natural supports, to ensure more successful supported employment outcomes.
Supported Employment Models Used by LRS:
LRS used an individual Job Coach model. It is estimated that approximately 130 individuals will be provided supported employment services with the funding available through the Title VI program in PY 2022.