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.
e. 2. If the VR agency has elected to receive title VI funds, Section 606(b)(3) of the Rehabilitation Act requires VR agencies to include specific goals and priorities with respect to the distribution of Title VI funds received under Section 603 of the Rehabilitation Act for the provision of supported employment services. Describe the use of Title VI funds and how they will be used in meeting the goals and priorities of the Supported Employment program.
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.
When implemented, 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 Order of Selection Category I (severe limitations in three or more functional capacity areas). The goals and plans of the program will be:
1. Promote high quality Supported Employment services by helping to increase the capacity of contracted community rehabilitation programs and their staff to efficiently serve LRS consumers by ensuring that the rates for Supported Employment are adequate and reasonable to employ and train qualified staff.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Coordinate with other agencies (public and private), employers and advocates to establish multiple options for extended services, to ensure more successful supported employment outcomes.
Supported Employment Models Used by LRS:
LRS uses an individual Job Coach model in which an employment specialist assists the individual with obtaining competitive integrated employment. A job coach then provides training and support and facilitates the use of natural supports on-site or off-site (as specified in the individualized plan for employment) and then gradually reduces time and assistance until the consumer’s employment situation becomes stable.