Narrative: b. 3.

According to the SCSEP Analysis of Service to Minority Individuals for PY 2021, Louisiana has an overall SCSEP service rate of 80.7%, which exceeds the 2020 U.S. Census percentage of 50.3%.  Louisiana has no significant changes in service delivery to minorities. Moreover, overall Louisiana SCSEP continues to exceed the U.S. Census percentages.  According to the U.S. Census, Hispanics account for 5.5% of the population in the state of Louisiana. The minority report indicates that Louisiana served 1.1% of the Hispanic population during PY 21. This is a significant difference from previous years due to the pandemic. The U.S. Census identifies the state of Louisiana’s Black population as 41.4%, in which Louisiana SCSEP serves 78.4% (with no significant variance).  The report shows Louisiana SCSEP serves 0.6% of the Asian population and the U.S. Census indicates there are 1.3% Asians in the service area. Of the 0.4% of American Indians, there was no service to the population.  The U.S. Census shows no Pacific Islanders. There was no service to those individuals in the program year. Although SCSEP services are not provided to the Asian population and the Pacific Islanders population, there is a small percentage of the overall population of Louisiana. Louisiana will continue to develop strategies to reach both populations. Furthermore, according to the Analysis Minority Individuals for PY 2021 report there were no significant differences in the following employment measures: The common measure Employment in Q2, shows that Louisiana had 24.1% minorities employed whereas 75.9% were not employed. The common measure of Employment in Q4 Louisiana had a 29.2% rate of minorities who retained employment, whereas only 70.8% were unable to obtain employment. Lastly, for the common measure Median Earnings, Louisiana’s average participant earnings were $2,400. Louisiana’s proportion of rural residents is still higher than the nation’s as a whole. According to the 2020 census, 28.5% of Louisiana’s 4.6 million residents live in rural areas. Recruitment of eligible participants in rural areas requires more innovative methods than in more urban areas due to distances between participants, high transportation costs, and increased time needed to serve the participants. In efforts to reduce disparities in minorities as it relates to enrollment and employment performance outcomes, Louisiana will continue to seek outreach methods that will include publicity through the use of social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), cold calling, newspaper advertisements, job fairs, community events, promotional material such brochures, posters, etc.  In addition, Louisiana will continue coordinating with National partners to develop techniques for the dispersion populations. Sub-grantees will continue targeting agencies that hire veterans, persons over 65, and have a disability.  Additionally, Sub-grantees will continue to seek methods to increase these numbers by networking with senior centers, religious organizations, city government officials, tribal leaders, veteran organizations and listing vacancies with the local workforce “Career Solution Centers as a primary focus on these minority groups.  Moreover, Sub-grantees will continue collaborating with organizations such as Catholic Charities, the Hispanic Apostolate, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), Employ-BR, the Louisiana Workforce Commission, and the Chamber of Commerce, to seek minorities for placement Furthermore, Sub-grantees will continue to post information in places like grocery stores, pharmacies, and religious institutions to attract minorities and the underserved populations.