Louisiana Administrative Code › Title 67 - SOCIAL SERVICES › Part VII - Rehabilitation Services › Chapter 5 - Business Enterprises Program Manual › Section VII-515 - Organization of State Licensing Agency

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 6, June 20, 2024
A. Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS),
				is designated as the sole state agency under a state plan for vocational
				rehabilitation services approved pursuant to the provisions of the
				Rehabilitation Act of 1973, (29 U.S.C. ch. 16) and approved by Rehabilitation
				Services Administration as the state licensing agency.
1. Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
				Director. The senior administrative official of the agency.
2. Blind Services Executive Director.
				Administers and coordinates services to the blind.
3. Central Office Staff. The program is
				administered by the Randolph-Sheppard Program Manager who reports to the Blind
				Services Executive Director.
4.
				Field Staff. The state is divided into specific geographic areas for the
				purpose of administering the Business Enterprises Program, and a business
				consultant (Randolph-Sheppard Management Analyst) is assigned to each area. The
				RSMA provides the link between the licensed managers and the central office and
				is authorized to provide the services and is obligated to assist and support
				the licensed managers in complying with the rules and regulations of the
				Rehabilitation Services Administration and the SLA relative to business
				enterprises established under the Randolph-Sheppard Act.
5. Licensed Managers. The individual
				enterprises established by the Business Enterprises Program are managed by
				licensed managers who derive their livelihood from net profits of the
				operations. Licensed managers are subject to instructions, policies, rules and
				regulations of the Business Enterprises Program, but are not employees of the
				program, the SLA, or the State of Louisiana. They do, however, have a
				contractual relationship with the SLA and are required to manage the facilities
				in accordance with established rules and regulations.
6. Duties of the Business Enterprises Program
				Administrator. The duties of the Business Enterprises Program Administrator
				are:
a. assures compliance with all
				applicable rules, regulations and statutory provisions;
b. prepares program budgets and approves
				expenditures;
c. plans for the
				development and expansion of the program and upgrading of existing
				facilities;
d. drafts program
				policy, operating instructions and regulation changes as needed to make the
				program more efficient or to conform to current legislative mandates;
e. promotes the program to the general
				public; and
f. actively
				participates with the ECM in accordance with
				34 CFR
				395.14.
7. Duties of the RSMA. The duties of the
				Randolph-Sheppard Management Analyst are:
a.
				assists each licensed manager to operate the business enterprise within
				applicable rules and regulations;
b. initiates negotiations for new
				facilities;
c. oversees the
				development of new installations;
d. conducts public relations activities which
				promote a positive image of the program to existing and potential host
				organizations, rehabilitation workers, consumers, and the general
				public;
e. provides management
				services to licensed managers;
f.
				collects and analyzes data on the operation of each business enterprise in
				order to provide technical assistance and for monitoring and reporting
				purposes; and
g. communicates with
				the district EMC on district operations.
8. Guidelines for Communication.
				Communication of information is to occur so that the best interests of the
				Business Enterprises Program are served. This is best accomplished when
				information is shared and acted upon by those who can respond most effectively
				in the circumstances. The administrative staff of the SLA is responsible for
				assuring that active communication among SLA staff and licensed managers
				contributes to the effective operation of the entire Business Enterprises
				Program. Management services and operational matters are best handled by
				communicating with the appropriate RSMA. Subparagraphs 515.A.8.a-c describe
				appropriate levels to which various types of communication should be directed.
a. Communications Originated by a Licensed
				Manager. The licensed manager is to maintain appropriate and professional
				communication with customers and building management personnel. The point of
				communication for licensed managers with the SLA is the RSMA. Circumstances in
				which a licensed manager may contact the Business Enterprises Program
				Administrator are:
i. when a problem cannot
				be resolved through normal channels;
ii. when there is a specific complaint
				concerning the conduct and/or behavior of a RSMA; or
iii. when an emergency develops and the RSMA
				is not available.
b.
				Randolph-Sheppard Management Analyst Communication. An RSMA is expected to
				maintain open and ongoing communications with all the licensed managers in
				his/her area. Should a situation require immediate action beyond the RSMA's
				authority, he/she may contact the proper administrative official. All
				significant information will be communicated to the BEP Administrator at the
				earliest opportunity.
c. Written
				Communications. Any communication of major consequence is to be documented in
				writing. Situations needing immediate action are to be addressed promptly by
				the appropriate official and subsequently documented in writing. Records of
				written documentation will be maintained in accordance with agency policy.
				Written requests require written responses.