13.7 Pre-ETS Workplace Readiness Training

Workplace readiness describes a number of commonly expected skills and behaviors that employers seek from most employees that are necessary for any job. Work readiness skills are sometimes called soft skills, employability skills, or job readiness skills.

Workplace Readiness Training includes a broad range of activities to help students learn skills, such as appropriate workplace interactions, time management, effective and professional communication, problem solving, decision making, and other independent living and interpersonal behaviors essential for workplace success. Additionally, financial literacy, orientation and mobility, job seeking skills, and the development of other soft skills may be included in workplace readiness training.

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

Work Adjustment Training (WAT) is training provided to help students with disabilities adjust behavior and/or develop compensatory skills in vocational areas, such as peer work relationships, supervisory work relationships, general work behaviors and expectations, and work habits. Includes training to improve a student’s interpersonal skills to the degree necessary to engage in employment. WAT is provided to students in integrated community settings to the maximum extent possible.

Facility-based WAT is non-integrated WAT provided directly to the student at a community rehabilitation program, clubhouse, etc. Facility-based WAT is only utilized to the extent an integrated community setting is not able to adequately meet the student’s needs.

Community-based WAT is integrated WAT provided directly to the student on-site at real work or transitional employment sites, etc. in the community.

(Procedure codes P22050-01, P22050-02)

Facility-based WAT is provided directly to the student at a community rehabilitation program, clubhouse, etc.

Monthly Payment Rate

• 30+ hours of direct on-site instruction to an individual

• Up to $630.00 per month

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

Payment Rate for Partial Months

• 1-29 hours of direct on-site instruction to an individual

• Up to $21.00 per hour

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

(Procedure codes P22000-01, P22000-02, P22000-03, P22000-04)

This WAT is delivered directly to the individual at real workplace settings, including on-site training at transitional employment sites within the community.

Monthly Payment Rate

• 30+ hours per month

• Individual instruction (1-3 individuals): Up to $1,950.00

• Group instruction (4-6 individuals): Up to $960.00 per individual

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

Payment Rate for Partial Months

• 1-29 hours per month

• Individual instruction (1-3 individuals): Up to $65.00 per hour

• Group Instruction (4-6 individuals): Up to $32.00 per hour, per individual

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

(Procedure codes P21000-05, P21000-06)

Project SEARCH is a work adjustment training program available to students in the final two semesters of their 18–21-year-old transition program. Project SEARCH participants learn to adjust behaviors and/or develop compensatory skills in vocational areas such as peer work relationships, supervisory work relationships, general work behaviors and expectations, and work habits necessary to work in competitive integrated employment. Students also receive training to improve their interpersonal skills to the degree necessary to engage in competitive integrated employment.

Requirements

• Must be licensed by Project SEARCH; and

• All services must be provided in an integrated community setting.

Service providers are expected to:

• Assist with student recruitment activities;

• Link the host business’ human resources staff and Project SEARCH instructor to identify internship opportunities for participants, examine existing open positions to determine if appropriate for participants, and perform job analyses;

• Participate in team meetings to report progress to team partners, including parents;

• Assist with classroom set-up, curriculum development, and worksite rotation planning;

• Train participants at the worksite in vocational skills, provide worksite orientation, monitor the individual and assess the participant’s progress towards developing compensatory skills in vocational areas;

• Coordinate or provide services, during or outside of the academic calendar, at or away from the worksite, to promote success at the worksite;

• Direct individual and group services in alignment with the participant’s Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) to assist the student to develop a career pathway and achieve competitive integrated employment;

• Educate and train the host business employees regarding the creation of natural supports in the workplace, how to work with individuals with disabilities, and assist with implementing necessary accommodations;

• Develop competitive integrated employment opportunities in the community; 

NOTE: Please reference Chapter 15, “Supported Employment Services,” for information about job search and development services.

• Link students to appropriate long-term service provider(s).

In addition,

• Individuals participating in Project SEARCH are limited to no more than two semesters in the program without DVR Supervisory approval.

• Following each semester, the Project SEARCH WAT is evaluated to determine whether the student is ready and chooses to move towards competitive integrated employment.

• Project SEARCH WATs are not to be used with other DVR incentives such as Paid Work Experience, On-the-Job Training, or Employment Stipend.

Payment Rate

• Up to $1,950.00 monthly

• $487.50 per week (when school is not in session; prorated for partial months)

• Covers all costs for all components of the program, including preparation of periodic written reports

(Procedure code P21110-00)

The purchase of a software or application license needed to provide WAT directly to the student using a digital platform.

Payment Rate

• Lowest available usual and customary rate charged to other individuals and entities

• This code is used for the license only. If additional customization is required, this is authorized at the hourly WAT rate to a qualified provider. This customization may include activities such as:

  • Recording and uploading WAT videos

  • Creation and uploading of checklists

  • Training and orientation for the individual to use the software or application independently

Personal Adjustment Training (PAT) is training provided to help students with disabilities develop compensatory skills and/or to adjust behavior in the areas of independent living to the degree necessary for employment, communications, personal mobility, and ability to travel in the community, and personal functioning. PAT is provided to students in integrated community settings to the maximum extent possible.

Facility-based PAT is PAT provided directly to a student, typically in a community rehabilitation program, clubhouse, independent living center, or residential facility. Facility-Based WAT is only utilized to the extent an integrated community setting is not able to adequately meet the student’s needs.

Community-based PAT is PAT provided directly to an individual at the individual’s home or other community site.

(Procedure codes P21250-1, P21250-2)

Facility-based PAT is provided directly to an individual and is only utilized to the extent an integrated community setting is not available to adequately meet the individual’s needs.

Monthly Payment Rate

• 30+ hours of direct on-site instruction to a student

• Up to $480.00 per month

• Includes use of assistive technology devices necessary for the student to participate in the training program

• Covers all costs for the training, including preparation of periodic written reports

Payment Rate for Partial Months

• 1-29 hours of direct on-site instruction to a student

• Up to $16.00 per hour

• Includes use of assistive technology devices necessary for a student to participate in the training program

• Covers all costs for the training, including preparation of periodic written reports

(Procedure code P21350-01)

Payment Rate

• Up to $5000.00 per month

• Includes all costs required for vision rehabilitation therapy, orientation and mobility, communications training, braille instruction, daily living skills training, basic computer orientation, instruction in personal management, social development, self-esteem building, and adjustment to blindness

• Includes the use of assistive technology devices necessary for the individual to participate in the training program

• Covers costs associated with the preparation of periodic written reports

(Procedure codes P21200-01)

Monthly Payment Rate

• 30+ hours of direct on-site instruction to an individual

• Up to $1950.00 

• Covers all costs for instruction, including preparation of monthly written reports

Payment Rate for Partial Months

• 1-29 hours of direct on-site instruction to an individual

• Up to $65.00 per hour 

• Covers all costs for instruction, including preparation of monthly written reports

(Procedure codes P21300-01, P21300-02 )

PAT provided directly to a student with visual impairment at an individual's home or other community site.

Monthly Payment Rate

• 30+ hours of direct on-site instruction to a student

• Up to $4500.00

• Covers instructional costs for all components of a vision rehabilitation therapy program and/or mobility training, including the preparation of periodic written reports

Payment Rate for Partial Months

• 1-29 hours of direct on-site instruction to a student

• Up to $150.00 per hour

• Covers instructional costs for all components of a vision rehabilitation therapy program and/or mobility training, including preparation of periodic written reports

(Procedure code P21600-00)

The purchase of a software or application license needed to provide PAT directly to the student using a digital platform.

Payment Rate

• Lowest available usual and customary rate charged to other individuals and entities

• This code is used for the license only. If additional customization is required, this is authorized at the hourly PAT rate to a qualified provider. This customization may include activities such as:
  
  

  • Recording and uploading PAT videos

  • Creation and uploading of checklists

  • Training and orientation for the individual to use the software or application independently

(Procedure codes P21370-01)

Orientation and Mobility Training is instruction to help a student with a visual impairment develop or re-learn skills and concepts to travel safely and independently within the home and the community.

Payment Rate

• Up to $150.00 per hour of direct on-site instruction to an individual and can ONLY be provided one-on-one

• Covers instructional costs for all components of orientation and mobility training, including preparation of periodic written reports

(Procedure codes P21500-01, P21500-02, P21500-03, P21500-04,  P21500-06, P21500-07)

Communication Skills Training is specialized visual, auditory or sign language communication training needed by an individual with a disability to communicate with others.

Payment Rate

• Up to $65.00 per hour of direct on-site instruction 

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

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

• Covers instructional costs for all components of communication skills training, including preparation of periodic written reports

(Procedure code P27500-01)

Job Seeking Skills Training is training to teach individuals to independently job search, including preparing résumés, completing applications, and interviewing.

Payment Rate

• Up to $55.00 per hour of direct on-site instruction to an individual in Tier I

• Up to $65.00 per hour of direct on-site instruction to an individual in Tier II

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

(Procedure code P81500-01)

Job Club is a structured group setting to provide assistance and support to learn how to conduct an independent job search. Providing Job Club services repeatedly is not typically expected to occur unless appropriate justification is provided in the service record.

Payment Rate

• Up to $32.00 per hour per student for groups with each instructor supporting no more than six students (1:6 ratio).

• Up to $26.00 per hour per student for groups with each instructor supporting 7 or more students (1:7 or greater ratio)

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

(Procedure code P08800-01)

Curriculum-Based Workplace Readiness Training Program refers to tuition and participation fees for students with disabilities to participate in formally established workplace readiness training programs. Programs must have a clearly defined eligibility criteria, goals, curriculum, and outcome measurements. Training curriculum and activities are designed to help students develop general work, academic, independent living, and social skills needed to succeed in post-secondary education and competitive integrated employment. Programs include elements of both Work Adjustment Training and Personal Adjustment Training and cannot be authorized in conjunction with either of these services. The fee does not include tuition for academic coursework, which is authorized and paid using the appropriate vocational training procedure codes.

Payment Rate (for Established Training Term)

• Lowest available usual and customary rate charged to other individuals and entities

• Covers instructional costs for all components of training, including preparation of periodic reports

(Procedure code P08800-06)

Assistance provided by a Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC), Community Partner Work Incentives Coordinator (CPWIC), or a Credentialed Work Incentives Practitioner (WIP) to an individual who is interested in becoming employed, but is

• Uncertain of the impact earnings may have on any disability benefits and entitlements received; and/or,

• Is not aware of benefits, such as access to healthcare that might be available to support employment efforts.

This service is designed for students with disabilities that are currently receiving and/or anticipated to be eligible for Social Security benefits (SSI and/or SSDI), as well as Medicare, Medicaid, housing assistance, food stamps, and other federal, state, and local benefits. This service provides students with introductory/general information regarding the impact of work on the individual’s benefits and future financial situation. This assistance is intended to provide the individual an opportunity to make an informed choice regarding the pursuit of Pre-ETS activities including Work-Based Learning Experiences and career pathway opportunities. This service is not intended to provide the student with a disability with an individualized analysis; only general and introductory information.

Providers enrolled in a DVR-approved benefits counseling training are eligible for payment while providing authorized services necessary to complete the performance-based certification.

Payment Rate

• Up to $100.00 per hour

• Up to 2 hours maximum

• Covers all components of generalized benefits counseling, including the preparation of periodic written reports