Division Policy 2.17

SUBJECT

Vocational Assessment policy for transition students and new VR clients

APPLICATION

Guidelines regarding the provision of vocational assessment as part of the development of the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) for transition aged students and any new vocational rehabilitation (VR) clients.

EFFECTIVE DATE

May 19, 2006

REVIEW DATE

January 18, 2013

EXPIRATION DATE

This policy will be reviewed and updated as necessary.

PURPOSE

This policy intent is to ensure that transition students and VR clients that need to change their careers are able to make informed choice regarding their employment outcome.

POLICY STATEMENT

An Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) must be designed to achieve an employment outcome that is consistent with the individual’s strengths, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, career interests, resources and informed choice.  

All Transition students will have a vocational assessment as part of the development of the IPE.  This will help with vocational and educational goal setting.

Client’s new to VR will also have a vocational assessment as part of the development of an IPE.  If their plan is to return to their previous employment, a vocational assessment is not necessary.  But a functional assessment of needs will be performed to assist in developing the IPE.

When it is necessary for a VR client to change careers or due to visual loss, must change careers, a vocational assessment will be administered to assist in developing the IPE.

When a VR client has no work experience, a vocational assessment will be administered to help develop the IPE.

Vocational Assessment consultants will be utilized in the home district.  If appropriate as determined by discussion with DBS Vocational Evaluation Consultant, a referral can be made for a Vocational Assessment at the Orientation and Adjustment Center.

DBS’s Vocational Assessment consultant will assist all districts with developing a data base of evaluators and then training these evaluators in methods of accommodating DBS VR clients.

Assessment instruments provided to the District Rehabilitation Specialists such as Choices or Career Thoughts Inventory will be utilized by the District Rehabilitation Specialists to screen and assess new and existing VR clients to develop the IPE.

Use the following fee code: A011011 Comprehensive Voc. Assessment.

Documentation of these efforts should be evident in the client’s record of services.

AUTHORITY

FS 413; Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as Amended

ACTION

All DBS staff should comply with these policies and procedures.

Original signed by Joyce Hildreth, Director, on October 14, 2009.

Return to top of page

DISCLAIMER: Links on the Florida Division of Blind Services (DBS) website that are directed toward websites outside the DBS, provide additional information that may be useful or interesting and are being provided consistent with the intended purpose of the DBS website. DBS cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by non-DBS websites. Further, providing links to a non-DBS website does not constitute an endorsement by DBS, the Florida Department of Education or any of its employees, of the sponsors of the non-DBS website or of the information or products presented on the non-DBS website.