La Rehab Cuts Services‏

As a member of the state Louisiana Rehab Council I was sent a copy of a Memo from Roseland Starks, Director of Louisiana Rehabilitative Services to LRS staff statewide regarding Cost Services - LRS Consumers dated 4/13/09. The memo is about reducing services because of budget cuts. I have pasted the memo below.

"As you are all aware, LRS received a mid-year budget reduction for SFY (state fiscal year) 2009. Therefore, at 4:30 pm today, April 13, 2009 cost services can only be provided to existing cases in Service status, referrals and new cases classified as Order of Selection Groups 1 and 2. This means:

1. All order of Selection, Order 3-5, consumers in Eligible status who have not had IPE developed and signed by the consumer as of April 13, 2009 shall be placed in Delayed status.

Regional Managers are to compile a list of all IPE's that have already been developed and signed by the consumer as of April 13, 2009, but have not been either approved by the District Supervisor and/or had an authorization entered into AWARE, and submit the list, along with the last page of the IPE, showing the consumer's signature. This list is to be forwarded to Ken York, Assistant Director, by close of business, Thursday, April 16, 2009.

2. Counselors can obtain diagnostic services on both new referrals and on Consumers in Applicant status. However, counselors must use prudence and justice in authorizing additional diagnostic services. Every effort should be made to obtain and use any appropriate existing information.

3. Eligibility decisions are to be made on all new referrals and existing cases in Applicant status. Those cases that are then determined eligible for Order of Selection Category 1 and 2 can be moved to eligible and Served. Those cases determined eligible in Order of Selection Categories 3-5 must be moved to Delayed status.

Cindy L. Arceneaux (carceneaux@laptic.org)