Vocational evaluation services are to be made available for any individual needing to obtain greater self and work knowledge related to his/her/their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and labor market information as well as the functional impact of the person's disability.

For Pre-ETS eligible students who have a signed consent & release, activities are limited to exploration rather than assessment, but if a pre-ets eligible student has applied for VR services and been removed from the waitlist, other evaluation services are available.  

Evaluation can occur any time in the VR process, providing the client is in an open category.

Process: Referral

1. Determine with the client if a vocational evaluation would be beneficial in addressing any of the following issues:

• Client is uncertain of a vocational goal or direction and needs further career planning, exploration, and/or vocational assessment to make an informed choice regarding next steps in relationship to employment. Career planning and exploration may include job shadowing, informational interviews and tours. 
• Client has a job goal but needs vocational assessment to determine if he/she/they has the skills and abilities to pursue the job goal(s)
• Client needs an On-the-Job Evaluation (OJE) to explore interests, skills, abilities, stamina, and/or work habits to help the person identify a realistic job goal(s)

2. Complete the following before making a referral for a vocational evaluation

• Request appropriate medical, psychological, and/or school records for eligibility and planning purposes
• Move case from Referred to Determined Eligible in QE2 unless vocational evaluation activities are required to determine eligibility or priority group status
• Encourage the client to complete Step 1 of the Discovery Booklet, unless individual has an I/DD diagnosis and would benefit from a VR Profile in Discovery
• Complete referral to Assistive Technology Partnership (ATP) if assistive devices or technology are needed prior to beginning evaluation
• The evaluator prefers to have all updated medical, psychological, and/or school records (if coming off the wait list during Order of Selection) prior to the start of evaluation and it is in the client’s best interest to do so. If the updated or most recent information has not been obtained in advance, the evaluation process can still begin; however, the evaluator and client will not arrive at a final job goal or recommendations until the relevant information has been received

3. Complete the Vocational Evaluation Referral form and provide the referral to the vocational evaluation specialist or associate either by email or in person

4. For Pre Employment Transition Students who need more in-depth exploration:

• Leave case in I & R status in QE2
• Complete Pre ETS Job Exploration Referral form 
• Share any available medical, psychological, or school records with evaluator at referral

 

Process: Conducts Vocational Evaluation

1. Review the available client information prior to beginning the evaluation

2. Conduct the vocational evaluation including completion of appropriate assessment activities, observations, interpretation and career exploration to help the client identify job goal(s) to assist the client in becoming successfully employed

*For Pre-Employment Transition Services eligible students, exploration must be within one of the five areas of approved services:

(1) job exploration counseling;

(2) work-based learning experiences;

(3) counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or post-secondary educational programs at institutions of higher education;

(4) workplace readiness training to develop social skills and independent living;

 and,

(5) instruction in self-advocacy, which may include peer mentoring

3. Staff the results of the evaluation with the referring specialist, client, authorized representative (if applicable), and the vocational evaluator all attending when possible. * For Pre-employment Transition Services students, extend staffing invite to authorized representative and school staff (if applicable)

4. Add a QE2 task note indicating Vocational Evaluation or Job Planning Exploration (for PreETS students) was completed

5. Confirm that Assessment Services have ended and status is marked accordingly for both Career Planning and Vocational Evaluation

6. Provide copy of finalized report to client or Pre-Employment Transition Student and the authorized representative, DD service coordinator, service provider, and teacher/school (all if applicable and on Release of Information)

 

 

Pre ETS Job Exploration Referral

Vocational Evaluation Referral

Case Review Instrument - Vocational Evaluation