LRS Integration Information

The Department of Social Services (DSS), Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) and the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) have explored ways to integrate programs and services inclusive of recommendations presented by the Streamlining Commission.

As a result of our efforts we have prepared comprehensive legislation, House Bill 1198, to introduce at this year’s legislative session regarding DSS transferring Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), the designated state agency that provides vocational rehabilitation and various independent living services, to assist individuals with disabilities obtain and maintain employment and/or independence in their community, to DHH and LWC.

The business and human aspects of this integration will create greater outcomes for citizens with disabilities seeking employment in Louisiana. This new framework will concentrate on the core competencies that exist within each agency. This alignment is designed to continue strengthening the state’s economy and keep the workforce moving forward. The outcome is trained, skilled and knowledgeable workers, who are on a path to gaining or maintaining employment, self-sufficiency and becoming tax paying citizens.

ACTIVITIES TO DATE:
Transition Team
Leadership at each agency is working collaboratively to address the integration with a primary goal of ensuring a smooth transition and seamless service delivery to the citizens receiving services. Two transition teams have been formed; one is comprised of LRS and LWC staff and the other LRS and DHH staff. Both teams meet every two weeks and are currently mapping out a strategy to merge LRS programs and staff into the respective agencies. Team members are staff from budget and fiscal, information technology, programs, legal, human resources, communications and support services. The overriding goal is to minimize interruption of services or negative impact to those individuals we serve. This process offers a great opportunity to look for ways to be more responsive to the needs of customers and expand the level of service provided under these programs.

Legislation
House Bill 1198, authored by Representative Kay Katz was heard on the house floor on April 22, 2010 and passed with 95 yeas and 0 nays. The bill is currently pending Senate introduction. Those organizations in support of the legislation include Lighthouse for the Blind, Affiliated Blind of Louisiana, Louisiana Statewide Independent Living Council and the Louisiana Rehabilitation Council. For more details on the legislation, visit: www.legis.state.la.us

Letters of Support from Stakeholders

• Affiliated Blind of Louisiana, Inc
• Lighthouse for the Blind, New Orleans
• Louisiana Rehabilitation Council
• Louisiana Statewide Independent Living Council

Proposed LRS Organizational Structure
LWC

• Under the proposed legislation, the programs that would fall under the LWC umbrella include; LRS’ flagship program, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Randolph-Sheppard Program, Independent Living Program Part B and the Independent Living Older Blind Program. These programs align with the long-term strategic goals of LWC and it the agency’s core competency, which is a focus to assist businesses find people and help people find jobs. These programs will still continue to be administered as per the Rehabilitation Act. The services available through LRS will not change as a result of the transition to LWC.
• It is anticipated that LRS programs being moved to LWC will be placed under the agency’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD). The LRS state office staff currently located in the Iberville Building will move onto the LWC campus. LWC is in the process of determining space and technology needs and will report back as things progress. At this time we expect LRS’ eight Regional Offices will remain in their current locations in order to make the transition as seamless possible for those we serve.

DHH

• Programs that are proposed for transfer to DHH include the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf, Traumatic Head and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund Program, Community Living and Family Support Program and the State Personal Assistance Services Program. LRS staff from these programs will be housed in the Bienville State Office Building located at 628 North Fourth Street in Baton Rouge.
• We anticipate the Traumatic Head and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund Program, the Community Living and Family Support Program, and the State Personal Assistance Services Program will be placed under DHH’s Office of Aging and Adult Services (OASS). The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf would be placed under DHH’s Office of the Secretary. The services provided by these four programs will not change as a result of the transition to DHH.

LRS Office Closures
Four LRS sites closured as a result of mid-year budget reductions; which was not due to the integration of LRS to LWC or DHH. Those office included, Natchitoches area office and the Northwest Rehabilitation Employment Assessment Program (REAP) and the St. Mary and Livingston area offices. Consumers impacted by these office closures will continue to receive services, as LRS staff will travel to the effected parishes in order to ensure minimal disruption of services.

Internal Efforts – Staff Engagement

• Two transition teams having been formed, one is comprised of LRS and LWC staff and the other LRS and DHH staff. Both are currently mapping out a strategy to merge LRS programs and people into the respective agencies in a smooth manner. The overriding goal is to do so with no interruption of services or negative impact to those individuals we serve. In fact, this process offers us a great opportunity to look for ways to be more responsive to the needs of customers and expand the level of service provided under these programs.
• At this time we anticipate no major changes to the current policies and procedures. We also do not anticipate any delays or interruption for vendor payments or current contracts in place.
• Staff education and dialogue has been conducted with LRS, LWC and DHH staff in regarding to the transition efforts to keep them abreast of what is going on.
• Staff has been provided with talking points to use when interacting with customers regarding the transition efforts.
• The most common questions we have received center on possible job cuts. At this time there is no plan to reduce staff as part of the integration of the LRS program into the Workforce Commission or DHH.

External Efforts – Stakeholder Outreach

• Disability and vocational rehabilitation stakeholders met with LWC and LRS leadership in Baton Rouge and Monroe to discuss the proposed integration of LRS work-related programs into LWC.
• Disability and vocational rehabilitation stakeholders also met with DHH and LRS leadership in Baton Rouge to discuss the proposed integration of LRS into DHH.
• The input that was gathered helped to assist the transition team in the development and implementation of a holistic integration plan.
• Follow-up letter were sent to all stakeholders who did or did not attend the meetings in order to provide them with first-hand and detailed information about what was conveyed at the meeting.
• The overall sense or feedback from the stakeholders as been very positive and many feel that the transition efforts will have a long-term benefit and impact for the disability community.
• Information regarding the proposed transition is available on the DSS, LWC and DHH web sites. Please visit these websites for information, www.laworks.net or www.dss.louisiana.gov or www.dhh.louisiana.gov.

If you have any questions regarding the proposed DSS transfer of LRS programs to DHH and LWC, please call
1-800-737-2958.