Narrative: a. 1.

The Louisiana Rehabilitation Council (LRC), which is the state rehabilitation council, met with Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) quarterly as a part of the council meeting. During these meetings, LRS provided quarterly updates, and LRC provided input and recommendations to LRS. The LRC incorporates public forums, consumer/counselor interviews, etc., to ensure the services provided by LRS meet the needs of Louisiana’s citizens with disabilities. The LRC uses a committee structure to provide focused review and comment to LRS. These committees are: the Executive committee; the Eligibility and Planning committee; the Employment committee and the Transition committee. Much of the interaction included exchanges of information in order to achieve greater clarity and understanding. While the detail work is done in the committee structure, all comments and recommendations are made from the full LRC.

The following is a list of activities and accomplishments of LRC for the period from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019:

• The LRC produced the FFY 2018-2019 Annual Report which included its accomplishments, as well as consumer success stories.
• Invited current and former VR recipients to attend each SRC meeting with their VR counselors to share their success stories.  
• LRS staff made numerous presentations to Council for education of programs and services offered. 
• Council members received a report from LRS Director at each regularly scheduled LRC meeting. Council members asked questions and were provided direct input from the LRS Director and other State Office staff. 
• LRC provided feedback and input regarding proposed changes to the LRS Technical Assistance and Guidance Manual. 
• The Louisiana Workforce Commission webpage continues to be utilized to distribute information about Council activities to include quarterly meeting locations and public forums.
• LRC ensured public comments were welcomed and encouraged by including meeting agenda item and timeframe at all meetings. 
• Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) consumers are invited to speak to the Council to discuss their experiences regarding VR service provision.  The LRC continued to provide a forum for consumers and the public the opportunity to openly discuss LRS services and to offer suggestions for improved service delivery. The Council provided feedback to LRS on these ideas and concerns. 
• The Executive Committee of the SRC continued recruitment of new members, filling seats vacated by outgoing members.  
• The LRC was educated and updated on the changes on the Medicaid Waivers through the LDH (Louisiana Department of Health)  
• LRC working on the feasibility of LRS adding the “Employment Retention Program” where individuals with disabilities and are working would be exempt from the Order of Selection to help ensure that they would retain their employment. 
• LRC Members attended the Louisiana Rehabilitation Association Conference and the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) Conference in Bethesda, Maryland. 
• The LRC educated State Legislators during the 2019 Legislative Session on the VR program and the services that benefit the State of Louisiana and its citizens with disabilities. 
• LRC provided feedback and input regarding the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment.  
• The LRC reviewed copies of due process hearing decisions. 
• The Council coordinated their July 2019 meeting with the Annual Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs Conference. 
• LRC members are active with other boards and groups statewide that include, but are not limited to, the Statewide Independent Living Council, Governor’s Advisory Council on Disability Affairs, Developmental Disability Council, Workforce Investment Council, Blind Vendor Trust Fund Advisory Board, Brain Injury Association of Louisiana, Advocacy Center of Louisiana, Metropolitan Human Services District and Governor’s State as a Model Employer Task Force.