Narrative: b. 2.

LRS received comments from the public, workforce partners/stakeholders and LRS staff members to determine the need to establish, develop, or improve CRPs within the state.

The LRS employee survey revealed that 83.3% of respondents felt that new CRPs were needed to adequately serve consumers, and 81% agreed or strongly agreed that current CRPs should be improved or expanded. Thirty-six percent of LRS employees felt that the CRPs present in their region needed to provide greater range of services to meet the needs of their consumers. Forty-seven percent indicated that CRP staff needed more education/training to effectively serve individuals with disabilities.

Additionally, 45% of staff indicated that the quality of services provided to meet the needs of consumers could be improved. Sixty-two percent of staff responding felt that more CRPs are needed in their area to provide specific services or to serve specific disability populations. Populations that were identified as needing further CRPs services include transition aged youth, deaf, deaf-blind and blind/visually impaired, those with mental illness, individuals with cognitive impairments/intellectual disabilities, autism, paraplegic/quadriplegic, and traumatic brain injuries. In addition, it was noted that more CRPs are needed to provide services, such as supported employment, customized employment, intensive services for individuals with most significant disabilities, and Pre-Employment Transition Services, and it was also  noted that more training needs to be provided to the CRPs to ensure that they are aware of LRS requirements and to CRP staff to ensure adequate training to ensure quality services provision and collaboration between LRS and the CRPs to work toward improved processes to serve consumers more quickly.

The survey provided to stakeholders, workforce partners and the public at large yielded the following results: Forty-one percent of respondents indicated that more CRPs are needed to provide services and 62% of respondents indicated that existing CRPs need improvement. More programs are needed in rural areas, more intensive career counseling is needed to assist with determining appropriate career goals, increased on-the-job training and job placement services, education, and community awareness of services/programs available to individuals with disabilities is also needed.  Respondents indicated that VR and CRPs need additional staff to provide services more quickly.  Staff at both take too long to get consumers engaged and active in the training/job placement process.  CRPs need staff who are knowledgeable about disabilities and are sensitive to each applicant’s needs, and facilities need to be located in safe areas.

Some populations identified as needing more specialized CRP services include those having autism, psychological disabilities, and intellectual disabilities, those who are recovering from addiction, traumatic brain injuries, and students transitioning from high school into employment.