9.1 Comprehensive Assessment Analysis and Activities

The comprehensive assessment is an analysis in which the DVR Counselor provides vocational counseling and guidance and necessary services and supports to help the individual select a suitable employment outcome (including supported employment and self-employment, as appropriate) and identify the rehabilitation service needs to achieve that employment outcome. The agreed upon employment outcome and identified rehabilitation needs shall be indicated on the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). Whenever possible, the selected vocational goal shall allow the individual to increase self-sufficiency and decrease dependence on public benefits. The assessment of vocational rehabilitation service needs begins with the initial interview and continues until sufficient information is available to develop the IPE. When the information used for the assessment of eligibility and priority for services is sufficient to identify the rehabilitation needs of the individual and an appropriate employment outcome, the counselor’s analysis of this information shall be documented, the comprehensive assessment shall be considered complete, and the IPE can be developed.

The comprehensive assessment analysis shall use, to the maximum extent possible, existing information that is current, including:

● Information available from other programs and providers, particularly information used by education officials and the Social Security Administration (SSA).

● Information provided by the individual and the individual's family.

● Information obtained during the assessment for determining the individual's eligibility and priority for services.

In some cases, additional information is needed to develop an appropriate employment outcome and identify the nature and scope of vocational rehabilitation services to be included in the IPE. Through comprehensive assessment activities, the DVR Counselor shall encourage and facilitate the individual’s exploration of their unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.

If necessary, the DVR Counselor may obtain or conduct additional assessments. These may include assessments of personality, interests, interpersonal skills, intelligence and related functional capacities, educational achievements, work experiences, vocational aptitudes, personal and social adjustments, and the medical, psychiatric, psychological, and other pertinent vocational, educational, cultural, social, recreational, and environmental factors that affect the employment and vocational rehabilitation needs of the individual. Purchased assessment services may be used to obtain necessary information and to address questions that cannot be answered by the individual, their family, the DVR Counselor, or through existing sources. 

The comprehensive assessment activities may include an analysis by the DVR Counselor of the individual’s transferable skills from previous employment, unpaid work experience(s), or education. It may also include, as necessary, an appraisal of the patterns of work behavior of the individual and services needed for the individual to acquire occupational skills and to develop positive work attitudes, work habits, work tolerance, and social and behavior patterns necessary for successful job performance. Additionally, assessment activities may include the use of work in realistic job situations to assess and develop the capacities of the individual to perform adequately in a work environment. While requirements for work assessments (including trial work experiences) must be met, DVR supports assessment activities that lead all people to find meaningful, individualized opportunities to explore the world of work, discover how they might contribute, and chart a course to employment and greater prosperity. 

With a release of information signed by the individual, or as appropriate their authorized representative, the DVR Counselor shall obtain assessment data from schools, organizations, and service providers to whom the individual is known. 

Assessment services provided by DVR may include vocational evaluation, situational assessment, work experience, job shadowing, rehabilitation technology evaluation, and other services necessary to explore key factors including interests, capacities, employment options and settings, and to help the individual clarify the employment outcome and the services needed. 

When applicable, the comprehensive assessment analysis shall identify appropriate vocational rehabilitation service needs for self-employment and supported employment.