Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for State Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by sections 101(a) and 606 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA.
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development.
In accordance with the requirements in Section 101(a)(7) of the Rehabilitation Act, the VR agency must develop and maintain annually a description (consistent with the purposes of the Rehabilitation Act) of the VR agency’s comprehensive system of personnel development, which shall include a description of the procedures and activities the State VR agency will undertake to ensure it has an adequate supply of qualified State rehabilitation professionals and paraprofessionals that provides the following:
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development.
i. 3. Standards that are consistent with any national or State-approved or -recognized certification, licensing, registration, or other comparable requirements that apply to the profession or discipline in which such personnel are providing VR services; and
A. Standards that are consistent with any national or State-approved or -recognized certification, licensing, registration, or other comparable requirements that apply to the profession or discipline in which such personnel are providing VR services; and
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.
Current Narrative:
Louisiana Civil Service is designated as the State Human Resource agency. Working in collaboration with Louisiana Civil Service, LRS has established hiring preferences, policies, procedures, and minimum standards for Rehabilitation Counselors, Master Rehabilitation Counselors and Regional Managers. These standards are reviewed periodically in light of changing personnel needs, labor market supply, and training resources. LRS relies on state standards for Administrative Assistant, Rehabilitation Counselor Associates, and Administrative and Executive positions through generic job classifications within the state human resources system. LRS has also established specific knowledge, skills, and ability requirements for individuals to enter these positions.
A Rehabilitation Counselor requires a baccalaureate degree plus one year of professional level experience in social services, teaching, counseling, administrative services, 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 related fields 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.
Through the Office of Workforce Development, LRS staff participate in weekly virtual statewide training sessions regarding WIOA partner resources and are annually required to complete 10 trainings that are relevant to Vocational Rehabilitation offered through mediums such as: VRTAC-QM, VRTAC-QE, NTACT:C, Workforce GPS, Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), and Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center (DETAC). Staff also access and conduct research on Labor Market Trends and information through a LWC Management Information Systems database called "HiRE". Information contained in this database informs LRS staff on what jobs are in high demand or are considered "Star jobs" when assisting consumers seeking employment.