Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 67 - SOCIAL SERVICES
Part VII - Rehabilitation Services
Chapter 15 - Independent Living Policy Manual
Section VII-1501 - Agency Profile
Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
A. Mission. To assist persons with disabilities in their desire to achieve independence in their home or community and/or to assist a responsible individual to obtain or maintain employment by providing independent living services and by working cooperatively with other community services.
B. Program Administration. Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, hereafter referred to as LRS, will secure appropriate resources and support in administering the various programs under the responsibility of the agency. These programs include, but are not limited to:
C. The Manual's Function. This manual sets forth the policies of LRS in carrying out the agency's mission, specifically as this mission relates to the Independent Living Program.
D. Exceptions. The director or designee shall have the sole responsibility for any exceptions to this policy manual.
E. Nondiscrimination. All programs administered by and all services provided by LRS shall be rendered on a nondiscrimination basis without regard to handicap, race, creed, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, duration of residence in Louisiana, or status with regard to public assistance in compliance with all appropriate state and federal laws and regulations to include Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
F. Compliance with State Laws, Federal Laws and Regulations, and Departmental Policies and Procedures. Staff shall comply with all state and federal laws, agency and civil service rules and regulations, Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 (Public Law 101-336).
G. Cost-Effective Service Provision. Services shall be provided in a cost-effective manner.
H. Records. A record must be maintained for each applicant/client and shall contain documentation to support a counselor's decision regarding eligibility, and subsequent decisions to provide, deny, or amend services.
I. Data Collection. Staff shall ensure the provision of client and financial data necessary for the operation of the agency's information and financial system as well as the blind registry.
J. Expeditious Service Delivery. All referrals, applications and provision of services will be handled expeditiously and equitably.
K. Client Assistance Program. All programs, including centers for independent living, community rehabilitation programs, and projects that provide services to individuals with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 2014 shall advise such individuals, or the parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of the individuals, of the availability and purposes of the Client Assistance Program, including information on means of seeking assistance under such program.
L. Equal Employment Opportunities
M. Affirmative Action Plan. LRS will take affirmative action to ensure that the following will be implemented at all levels of administration: recruit, hire, place, train and promote in all job classifications without regard to non-merit factors such as race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability or veteran status, except where sex is a bonafide occupational qualification.
N. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development. LRS will provide a comprehensive system of personnel development in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998.
O. Applicant/Client. For purposes of representation, the term applicant/client refers to an individual who has applied for independent living services or in certain cases, a parent, or family member, or guardian, an advocate, or any other authorized representative of the individual.
P. Cooperative Agreements. LRS will use services provided under cooperative agreements as comparable services and benefits.
Q. Services to American Indians with Disabilities. LRS will provide independent living services to American Indians with disabilities to the same extent that these services are provided to other individuals with disabilities which will include, as appropriate, services traditionally available to Indian tribes on reservations.
R. Misrepresentation, Fraud, Collusion, or Criminal Conduct
S. Informed Choice. LRS shall provide information and support services to assist applicants and eligible individuals in exercising informed choice throughout the independent living process, consistent with the following:
T. Construction. Nothing in this policy manual shall be construed to create an entitlement to any independent living service.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, R.S. 49:664 Section 6B, R.S. 36:477 (c), R.S. 46:331-335, R.S. 39:1595.3 and R.S. 39:1594 (I).