Narrative: j. 1. A.

Frequency of Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment: The LRS CSNA is conducted every three years. The most recent CSNA was completed in FY 2017 and the next one will be completed in FY 2020 with results to be submitted with the subsequent update. 

Current Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment:

Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) assists eligible individuals with disabilities to prepare for, achieve, and retain employment in an integrated community setting. LRS administers the general Vocational Rehabilitation program in Louisiana for the Rehabilitation Services Administration. This comprehensive needs assessment focuses on the Vocational Rehabilitation program and the needs of individuals eligible for those services.

The purpose of the statewide comprehensive assessment, conducted jointly with the Louisiana Rehabilitation Council (LRC), is to describe the rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities residing within Louisiana, particularly the vocational rehabilitation service needs as outlined in the 34 CFR 361.29:

Individuals with the most significant disabilities, including their need for supported employment services;

1. Individuals with disabilities who are minorities and individuals with disabilities who have been unserved or underserved by the vocational rehabilitation program carried out under this part;
2. Individuals with disabilities served through other components of the statewide workforce investment system as identified by those individuals and personnel assisting those individuals through the components of the system; and
3. Youth with disabilities, and students with disabilities, including their need for pre-employment transition services or other transition services; and an assessment of the needs of individuals with disabilities for transition services and pre-employment transition services, and the extent to which such services provided under this part are coordinated with transition services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in order to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.
4. Assessments of the need to establish, develop, or improve Community Rehabilitation Programs within the State.

This assessment is in response to the requirements of 34 CFR 361.29 that includes statewide assessment, annual estimates, annual state goals and priorities, strategies, and progress reports. As mandated, LRS and the LRC jointly planned and conducted this Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment. The findings and results of this assessment will assist LRS with planning and developing strategic goals and objectives.

METHODOLOGY

Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) utilized a variety of modalities and methodologies to research and collect data to assess and identify the rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities, as well as the need to establish, develop, or improve Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs).

Data from consumers, staff members, workforce partners/stakeholders, Title 121 and the public at large was obtained. Survey Monkey, accessible survey software available through the internet, was used for all surveys. Surveys in hard copy and alternate languages were also available upon request. The use of on- line surveys assisted LRS in keeping the cost of conducting the needs assessment within budget.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission’s (LWC) Communications Section solicited participation in LRS’ statewide needs assessment surveys utilizing social media. The survey link was published in the Governors Office for Disability Affairs’ newsletter. An email account was set up to monitor any questions or comments provided. This email account was monitored by a designated LRS employee.

LRS stakeholders, consumers, staff members, Workforce Partners, and Title 121 were emailed a link inviting participation in the survey. All respondents were ensured of the confidentiality of information provided.

In addition to the surveys conducted by LRS, data was accessed from a wide range of publicly available resources including the United States Census Bureau, the American Census Surveys (ACS), the Disability Compendium, and reports provided by Community Rehabilitation Programs.

Six hundred twenty-five survey responses were received. In addition, eighty-three LRS employees responded to total seven hundred and eight survey respondents.

Louisiana Rehabilitation Council (LRC) Joint Collaboration

In order to collaborate with the state rehabilitation council on the completion of the survey, LRS staff attended LRC meetings where the Council provided input including assisting with the development of the survey questionnaires, recommending methods of distribution of surveys and in the distribution to potential respondents statewide. As detailed results are compiled and distributed, the council will continue to assist in determining actions needed based on the assessment results.

The LRC/LRS liaison participated in the development of the questionnaires. Once the surveys were developed, the liaison distributed the draft survey instruments to LRC members soliciting their input. Comments and suggestions received contributed to the final development of the survey. As exhibited above, the CSNA is the result of a joint effort between LRS and the LRC.

Target Populations

The CSNA survey link was emailed to consumers, staff members, Workforce Partners, Community Rehabilitation Programs, customers of CRPs, Title 121and stakeholders. The survey link was provided for access by the public through the Louisiana Workforce Commission and Governor’s Office for Disability Affairs social media sites and newsletters. LRS solicited and received feedback from these target populations.

Consumer Surveys

Louisiana Rehabilitation Services emailed survey links to 5,607 VR and Pre-ETS applicants and consumers statewide. The survey links were sent to individuals from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds, unserved/underserved populations and individuals with the most significant disabilities. Surveys were also sent to youth and students with disabilities to determine their specific needs.

Surveys included an introduction explaining the purpose and an invitation to participate. Recipients were ensured of confidentiality of all information submitted.

The consumer survey instrument was designed to:

• Be easily read and understood
• Be accessible
• Be completed by the individual or parent/guardian/advocate
• Encourage completion (online survey)
• Provide anonymity

Questions on the survey were developed with input from the LRC to access the needs of individuals with most significant disabilities, the unserved/underserved, those being served through workforce partners and to determine the need to establish, develop, and expand CRPs within the state.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Consumer Surveys

LRS received 316 responses. Seventy percent of respondents identified themselves as individuals with disabilities; 19% were identified as a parent or guardian of an individual with a disability answering on behalf of the minor; and 13% were a youth or student with a disability.

Forty-eight percent of respondents were male and 52% were female. Five percent identified themselves as veterans. Sixty percent of respondents identified themselves as Caucasian; 36% percent as African-Americans; and the remaining four percent as American Indian, Hispanic, Native Pacific Islander or Other.

The predominant age of respondents was between the ages 18 - 25 years (30%); followed by the ages of 41 - 50 (17%); ages 31 - 40 years (16%); ages 51 - 60 (14%); ages 26 - 30 (12%); ages 61 - 70 (7%); under 18 years of age (3%); and ages 70 and over (1%).

Thirty-nine percent of respondents indicated living with parents or guardians; 23% lived alone; 17% percent of respondents indicated living with a partner or spouse; 13% lived with their children; 10% with a roommate or other adult.

The top disability categories respondents reported were: Mental Illness (19%); Hard of Hearing (12%); Psychological/Behavioral (11%); Intellectual Disability (10%); Orthopedic/Mobility (10%); Specific Learning Disability (9%); Autism (9%); and Blindness (9%).

Educational levels of respondents were as follows: 26% had either a high school diploma or a GED; 25% had some college training; 21% had a 4 year degree; 12% had a 2 year degree/technical college; 10% indicated that they did or have not completed high school, and 6% had either a master’s or doctoral degree.

Thirty-three percent of respondents indicated being employed, 29% were out of work/looking for work, 38% were students and 7% noted that they are unable to work.

The primary source of income reported included SSI/SSDI (45%); own employment (30%); parent/guardian’s income (19%), and public assistance (6%).

Thirty-four percent of respondents reported an average household yearly income of less than $10,000; 18% reported receiving $10,001 - $15,000; 16% reported an income of $50,000 and over; 13% received $15,001 - $25,000; 6% received $40,001 - $50,000; 6% received $25,001 - $35,000; and 5% received $35,001 - $40,000.

When asked why they wanted to work, 77% of respondents stated that they want to support themselves or their family, 58% wanted to better their lifestyle, 53% to be a contributing member of society, and 30% to have medical insurance.

When asked “If employed, are you earning minimum wage or above?” 111 skipped the question and 205 responded. Of respondents, 55% stated they earned above minimum wage and 45% stated they earned below minimum wage.

Workforce Partner Agencies, Stakeholders & Title 121

LRS solicited input from identified workforce partners, stakeholders and the liaison with Title 121. One hundred individuals completed the online survey.

Sixty-eight percent of respondents were service providers, 20% were advocates, and 11% reported having a disability themselves. Seventy-four percent had never received services from Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, 15% had previously received services but were not receiving them currently.

The gender of survey respondents were 58% female and 42% male. Seven percent indicated being veterans. When asked about their race/ethnicity, 70% identified themselves as Caucasian; 31% as African American; 5% Hispanic or Latino and 2% as American Indian or Alaskan Eskimo. Multiple races were selected for some.

Twenty-four percent of respondents were between the ages 51 - 60 years; 21% were between 61 - 70 years old; 20% were between 31 - 40 years old; 18% were between 41 - 50 years old; 8% were between 18 - 25 years old; 3% were between 26-30 and 3 % were under 18 years of age.

The current living situation of respondents are as follows: 59% reported living with a spouse or partner; 21% live with children; 14% live with a parent or guardian; and the remainder live alone, with a roommate, are homeless or institutionalized.

Educational levels of respondents with a master’s or doctoral degree was 45%; a 4 year college degree were 22%; 12% had either a high school diploma or a GED; 10% indicated that they did not complete high school; 9% had some college training; and 2% had a 2 year associates or technical college degree.

Seventy-three percent of respondents indicated that their primary source of income is employment; 11% indicated receiving SSI/SSDI; 10% rely on their spouse’s wages; and 10% rely on the income of a parent/guardian.

The average household yearly income received was $50,001 and over for 51% of respondents; $40,001 - $50,000 for 11%; less than $10,000 for 11%; $10,001 - $15,000 for 7%; $15,001 - $25,000 for 6%; $25,001 - $35,000 for 6%; and $35,001 - $40,000 for 7%.

LRS Employee Surveys

LRS sent survey links via email to all staff members (173) including administrative, support, and direct service delivery. The online surveys ensured staff of confidentiality and anonymity.

Eighty-three LRS employees from offices statewide responded to surveys. Of the respondents, 37% have worked for LRS from 11 - 10 years; 27% have worked for the agency over 20 years; 27% have worked for LRS for 6 - 10 years; 12% have worked for the agency for over 25 years and 9% have worked for LRS for less than 5 years.

Fifty-two percent of respondents have their Master’s degree; 22% have their Bachelor’s degree; 11% have some college; 9% have a two year associates or technical college degree and 3% have a Doctoral degree 3% have their high school diploma or GED.

Primary respondents were Rehabilitation Counselors (44%); Counselor Associates, Rehab Secretaries and Receptionist (15%); and District Supervisors (10%).

Individuals with the most significant disabilities, including their need for supported employment services:

Survey respondents universally stated that training should be provided to LRS staff, vendors and legislators regarding the vocational rehabilitation program, service provision and budgetary needs; that more staff should be hired to increase capacity to serve; and that more vendors are needed. Respondents indicated that more consumers need LRS services and could be served if additional state dollars could be secured to match the federal funding available to the state.

Upon reviewing survey information of individuals receiving SSI/SSDI, the top needs identified by respondents included job placement (46%); job coaching (30%); benefits planning (30%); transportation (29%); job readiness skills (28%); and vocational guidance and career counseling (27%). They identified barriers to employment as being the fear of losing their government benefits (52%), lack of employer acceptance of their disability (44%), adjustment to disability (32%); lack of transportation (38%); lack of public services (36%); the slow job market (36%); and lack of medical insurance (27%).

Respondents receiving supported employment services identified the following as needs not being met, job placement (23%); training/tuition assistance (21%); transportation (21%); room & board (15%); mental health counseling (14%); post-employment services (14%); benefits planning (13%); and equipment for work (13%).

The barriers to employment identified by respondents receiving supported employment services included the fear of losing government benefits (40%); lack of transportation (39%); employer acceptance of their disability (36%); their personal adjustment to the disability (29%); lack of public resources (29%); the slow job market (21%); and the lack of medical insurance/care (20%).