Vocational Assessment Services

 Vocational Evaluation services include vocational assessments, transferable skills analysis, employment readiness assessments, job shadows, situational assessments, informational interviews and career exploration. These services are designed to assist individuals in narrowing the job search to a specific field.

 Individuals referred from Rehabilitation Services Commission, Ticket to Work, a County Board of Mental Health/Drug/Alcohol Services, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, a County Board of Development Disabilities or other funding source may have their services paid for by the funding source. All services are provided by qualified staff.

 Vocational Assessment:

 Vocational evaluations may be comprised of various evaluation methods, such as vocational batteries, hands on assessments, simulated work samples, labor market analysis and informational interviews to determine the optimal employment goal for an individual.  PiE will determine the testing instruments to be used with the individual and answer the referral source questions.  The results of the evaluation will be summarized in a written report which will include at a minimum:  identification of a realistic and viable employment goal, or goals, identification of individual strengths and barriers, recommendations to overcome the barriers, an analysis of the local labor market, and justification of why the vocational goal is appropriate. PiE will provide the individual feedback in a concise and understandable format upon completion of the assessment.

 Tests and assessment tools available include but are not limited to the following:  Career Scope, OASYS, Bennett Mechanical Aptitude Test, WAIS, WIAT, WMS, WRAT, Wonderlic-Scholastic Level Exam (SLE), COPSystem Comprehensive Career Guide, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Purdue Pegboard, Beta, Reading Free Vocational Inventory and Clerical Abilities Battery.  Additionally, an individualized comprehensive vocational interview is completed as well as a review of the individual’s work history, disability related issues, prior educational development, and community and social factors affecting employment.  This includes a Transferable Skills Analysis to determine possible vocational goal options.  Tests and services are administered and provided by qualified staff (PCC or CRC).

 Career Exploration, Informational Interview, and Job Shadows:

  Career Exploration includes services such as job shadowing, informational interviews, and reviews of local labor market information to help individuals explore the potential for identified employment goals.  The goal of the service is to assist the individual and referral source to narrow employment goals.  An additional service goal includes assisting the individual and referral source staff to narrow several possible employment options to one which will be listed on the Individualized Plan for Employment.  The referral source will provide PiE with a list of specific vocational goals that the individual and referral source would like to be explored.  PiE will help the individual review the information obtained and make an informed choice on an employment goal.  The written report will include a review of employers contacted, information obtained from employers, summary of the positive and negative aspects of each potential employment goal and final recommendation.

 Career Exploration services may include a combination of informational interviews, job shadows and/or labor market surveys, based on the individual’s needs and the referral source requests.  Development of the Informational Interview sites and Job Shadow sites is a separate fee. 

Site Development for Informational Interviews and Job Shadows:

This service includes meeting with potential employers for Job Shadows and Informational Interviews to explain the purpose and benefits of the vocational rehabilitation program.  It may also include working with the employer to coordinate a tour of the job site for the individual, interview the employer, and to coordinate start date and hours.

Career Exploration Intake:

Career exploration intake is the initial service that allows PiE and the individual to meet to discuss services, complete necessary forms, discuss confidentiality, and to complete an orientation assessment.  This includes a review of employment and educational history, substance abuse and legal history, information on work preferences including location, wages and hours to develop appropriate service plans.  PiE will provide the referral agent with a written report summarizing the information obtained and a copy of the service plans.  This fee is considered part of the first tier of the Placement Package and will only be charged once, either as part of the Placement Package or as the first part of another service.

Situational Assessment:

Situational Assessments are short term, typically a day or two, but may be longer, community or facility based evaluations to determine an individual’s unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities and capabilities.  Work should be realistic and evaluate such things as speed and production, quality of work, work behaviors, interests and aptitudes for the type of work, strengths, and potential barriers, recommendations and implementation of reasonable accommodations, and assist the individual in clarifying the potential job as a possible goal for employment.  The written report will include comparison of work behaviors, evaluate progress in comparison to when the individual first started the assessment and make recommendations for future programming.  The individual will be paid minimum wages for hours worked.  Development of the Situational Assessment site is a separate fee.

Situational Assessment Site Development:

This service includes meeting with potential employers for Situational Assessments to explain the purpose and benefits of the vocational rehabilitation program.  It may also include information supportive services that can be offered to both the employer and employee.  This service may also include working with the employer to coordinate a tour of the job site for the individual, interview with the employer, and coordinating start date and hours.

Situational Assessment Intake:

Situational assessment intake is the initial service that allows PiE and the individual to meet to discuss services, complete necessary forms, discuss confidentiality, and to complete an orientation assessment. This includes a review employment and educational history, substance abuse and legal history, information on work preferences including location, wages and hours to develop appropriate service plans.  PiE will provide the referral agent with a written report summarizing the information obtained and a copy of the service plans.  This fee is considered part of the first tier of the Placement Package and will only be charged once, either as part of the Placement Package or as the first part of another service.

Comprehensive Vocational Evaluation: 

Comprehensive Vocational Evaluations are an individualized, timely, systematic, multidimensional and comprehensive vocational evaluation.  It combines a Vocational Assessment with a 20 hour Community Based Assessment.  Developing the Community Based Assessment site is included in this fee.  The individual will be paid minimum wages for hours worked during the Community Based Assessment portion of this service.  Services are provided by qualified staff (PCC or CRC).

Discovery Process:

The discovery process precedes Job Development or Customized Employment placement strategies.  It involves getting to know the individual and who the individual is before a plan is developed.  For individuals with significant disabilities it is a valuable process to learn the best the individual has to offer.  It is qualitative in nature as it seeks to understand the whole picture of the individual’s situation, strengths and needs.  It involves getting to know the individual in a variety of settings, talking with different people including family members and agencies involved with the individual.  This service also includes a minimum of three Informational Interviews. A detailed report will be completed that includes the development of one to three vocational themes.  The services will be coordinated by a staff PCC or CRC with the assistance of other qualified staff.

Transferable Skills Analysis:

Using a thorough interview of work history and OASYS software, an individual’s skills and physical capabilities are assessed for transferability to a variety of occupations.  Services are provided by PCC or CRC staff.