13.4 Pre-ETS Job Exploration Counseling

Job Exploration Counseling includes a wide variety of professional activities that help individuals identify viable career options or solidify careers that a student will want to explore further.

Job Exploration Counseling activities can be done through collaboration with private, for-profit, public, or nonprofit businesses in the community and/or web-based resources.

Job Exploration Counseling may include:

• Activities to create career awareness and gain knowledge of career paths

• Administration of career or vocational assessments

• Administration of vocational interest inventories

• Development of career-focused student organizations

• Exploration of non-traditional employment options

• Identification of career pathways of interest to the student

• Instruction on labor market information

• Introduction to in-demand industries and occupations

• Presentations on various careers

(Procedure code P08600-01, P08600-02, P08600-03, P08600-04)

Payment Rate

• Up to $55.00 per hour for Tier I

• Up to $65.00 per hour for Tier II

• Groups (1:6 ratio) $32.00 per hour per student

• Groups (1:7+ ratio) $26.00 per hour per student

• Covers all costs for counseling activities, including preparation of periodic written reports

Situational Assessments evaluate work behaviors, interpersonal skills, and job-related skill levels for purposes of identifying viable career options. They may take place in community-based settings, including real-life work settings and transitional employment settings, or in facility-based settings, such as community rehabilitation program facilities. Situational Assessments must be provided in integrated settings to the maximum extent possible.

Typically, all SAs are provided one-on-one. However, DVR will allow for payment to be made when the service is being provided simultaneously to multiple individuals as follows:

• 1-3 individuals - 100% of the identified direct service one-on-one rate per individual

During a facility-based Situational Assessment, assessment is provided in a community rehabilitation program, clubhouse, etc. and cannot exceed two full months. During a community- based assessment, assessment is provided at job sites in the community. Rather than providing an individual with uniquely designed situational assessment services, a Standard 2-week Situational Assessment uses standardized protocols and practices for all participating individuals.

(Procedure codes P08150-01, P08150-02, P08150-03, P08150-04)

Assessment is provided in a community rehabilitation program, clubhouse, etc. 

Monthly Payment Rate

• 30+ hours of direct on-site assessment of an individual

• Up to $1000.00

• Covers all costs for the assessment, including preparation of a written report

Payment for Partial Months

• 1-29 hours

• Up to $33.50 per hour of direct on-site assessment of an individual

• Covers all costs for the assessment and preparation of monthly written reports

(Procedure codes P08100-01, P08100-02, P08100-03, P08100-04)

Monthly Payment Rate

• 30+ hours of direct on-site assessment of an individual

• Up to $1,950.00

• Covers all costs for the assessment, including preparation of a written report

Payment for Partial Months

• 1-29 hours of direct on-site assessment of an individual

• Up to $65.00 per hour

• Covers all costs for the assessment, including preparation of a written report

(Procedure code P08100-05)

Rather than providing an individual with uniquely designed situational assessment services, a standard 2-week situational assessment uses standardized protocols and practices for all participating individuals.

Payment Rate

• Direct on-site assessment of an individual

• Up to $1000.00

• Covers all costs for the assessment, including preparation of a written report

(Procedure codes P08000-01, P08000-02)

Standardized vocational evaluation is formalized testing using standard protocols to identify viable career options. Standardized vocational evaluations typically involve the use of formalized normed work samples, such as the Valpar written test, etc. A standardized vocational evaluation must be conducted by an individual who is qualified to administer the standardized assessment tools.

Payment Rates for a Comprehensive Evaluation

• 10+ hours of direct on-site evaluation of an individual

• Up to $825.00

• Covers all costs for the evaluation, including preparation of a written report

Payment by the Hour

• 1-9 hours of direct on-site evaluation of an individual

• Up to $82.50 per hour

• Covers all costs for the evaluation, including preparation of a written report