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  3. Employment: How to Prepare for Getting a Job
  4. State programs for people with disabilities
  5. Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS)

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) from LRS

VR Services can help you to get a job, and keep a job.

This is a general term and there are other VR programs in the state. This page is about the VR program from LRS.

  • VR Services are provided by Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, or LRS. LRS is under the Louisiana Workforce Commission. They are in charge of helping Louisiana residents get jobs.

  • You can apply for VR Services anytime after the end of your junior year in high school.

  • They will do an informal assessment to see if you qualify.

  • You will be assigned a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, who will meet with you regularly.

Services include:

  • career counseling

  • job training

  • help with equipment needed to do their work

  • other supports they need for work 

To qualify, a person must:

  • have a physical, mental, or emotional disability

AND

  • have trouble getting or keeping a job because of their disability

AND

  • be able to benefit from job support services

Click on the boxes below to learn more:

These services are run by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

How do I apply?

  • Click on this link for a list of local regional offices. (It will open in a new tab or window on your computer.)

  • Find your local office and call them. They will tell you how to apply

There are two contacts for Baton Rouge:

  1. Verna Dixon-Fletcher, Regional Manager. She is located at 3651 Cedarcrest Avenue in Baton Rouge. Her phone number is (225) 295-8900 and her email address is vdixon-fletcher@lwc.la.gov

  2. Mark Peltier, RCS Manager. He is located at 8225 Florida Blvd in Baton Rouge. His phone number is (225) 287-7770.

What to expect:

  • They will assign a VR Counselor to work with your family member

  • You will all meet to talk about your family member's needs and abilities

  • They will do an evaluation to see if your family member qualifies and what services they might need

  • Together, you will decide on services and make a plan to help your family member prepare for getting a job

 

Source: Louisiana Workforce Commission

VR Services from LRS can help prepare you for the workforce and find a job.

You can apply anytime after your Junior year in high school. If you qualify and get services, you will get a VR counselor to help with the process.

What kinds of services do they offer?

  • Help you figure out your interests, skills, and abilities for future work

  • Training to help you with personal skills needed to interview and get jobs

  • Access to special work programs, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, etc.

  • Help finding and using equipment or devices that you need in order to work (wheelchairs, prosthesis, glasses, communication devices, etc.)

  • Help with adaptations (changes) at the job site (changing lighting, adapting a telephone, a computer, or a tool, etc.)

  • Help with job placement (They do not guarantee you a job, but they will help!)

  • Follow up after employment to ensure job success

Go to this website to learn more:Vocational Rehabilitation Program (It will open in a new tab or window on your screen.)

Image of an exclamation markLRS services can be hard to get. The state has a certain amount of money for this program, and it doesn't always cover everyone who needs the help. They have to choose the people most in need.

But we'll tell you about other ways to find vocational support!

 

Sources: Louisiana Workforce Commission, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services

 

For more details, click on the link at the end of the page to download a 22-page handbook. (It will open in a new tab or appear in the bottom corner of your screen.)

 

Sources: BRAF, Louisiana Workforce Commission