Narrative: c. 4. B.

The chart below shows the poverty levels by parish in Louisiana. According to the US Census-American Community Survey (ACS), 18.6% of people living in Louisiana are in poverty. Seventeen parishes have poverty levels of 25% or greater. The parishes with the highest poverty levels are East Carroll (45.7%), Madison (41.7%), St. Landry (32.2%), Tensas (31.6%), and Natchitoches (32.8%). According to the final PY22 Quarterly Progress Report-QPR, there were 11 of 139 participants served who lived in rural areas.   Employment opportunities and resources are more difficult to obtain in rural areas. Staff travel as often as needed to assist these individuals in reaching goals and ensuring performance measures are met.  National grantees and sub-grantees will work with the local rural economic development offices, mayors, and parish councils to coordinate ways in which seniors can better be served in areas of access to transportation, employment, and training opportunities. Furthermore, Louisiana SCSEP will utilize the Equitable Distribution formula provided by the SCSEP.org website as a long-term strategy to manage and ensure rural and urban areas are equitably served. In addition, Louisiana and National SCSEP Grantees will continue to collaborate on best practices and strategies to ensure that participants are equitably served in both urban and rural areas.