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Revised 12-01
TRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE
AUTHORITY
Federal Regulations: CFR 361.42
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, Section 7.
For the purpose of this manual, use of the terms must or shall
reflect the requirements of Federal law or regulation or state or administrative
regulation and must be adhered to strictly.
INTRODUCTION
In the past an extended evaluation period was used for consumers with
significant disabilities when a decision could not be made by the counselor
regarding the consumer’s capacity to benefit in terms of an employment
outcome. The l998 amendments to the Rehabilitation Act mandate that consumers
with significant disabilities be afforded real work experience rather than an
extended evaluation period. In review of our Department records, it appears that
counselors have, in fact, been providing real work experience for consumers with
significant disabilities through our current supported employment system,
utilization of job coaches and employment specialists, and other individualized
services.
We expect that counselors will continue to determine consumers with
significant disabilities eligible and provide appropriate services through
Supported Employment, Rehabilitation Technology, and other individualized
services that will lead to an employment outcome. Trial Work Experience (status
06) will be used in those rare instances when eligibility cannot be determined.
Keep in mind when this decision is made the counselor should take into account
the broad range of services, supports and creative employment options that can
be accessed for consumers with the most significant disabilities. The consumer
will be given a full opportunity to explore and demonstrate his or her
abilities, capabilities, and capacity to perform in work situations through the
use of trial work experiences. The counselor will arrange for trial work
experiences that are of sufficient variety, over a sufficient period of time,
and with appropriate supports and training to obtain evidence of employment
potential.
The counselor’s approach should be individualized, flexible and adaptable.
The approach will need to be holistic in nature while seeking out resources to
ensure all avenues are investigated. One technique that is recommended for the
counselor to assess the consumer and develop a profile for employment potential
is the use of "Person Centered Planning." This systematic approach to
learning about a person will assist in identifying many factors needed to
develop a trial work experience. There are many advantages to Person Centered
Planning. Examples of life areas to include in the plan are listed below:
 | family relationships |
| family involvement and support |
| what is important to the consumer |
| past experiences both positive/negative |
| community resources the consumer uses regularly |
| consumer preferences |
| consumer gifts and capacities |
| consumer uniqueness |
| most marketable characteristics of the consumer |
| practical assistance for consumer needs |
| physical assistance the consumer needs |
| instructional strategies that have been most effective with the consumer |
| health issues and daily medical care |
| natural supports including family and friends |
| transportation issues |
| personal care assistance needs |
| ability to independently perform activities of daily living |
| determine daily medical care |
Person Centered Planning can identify compensatory strategies which
counselors may introduce in the counseling session, such as job carving, job
queuing, job sharing and assistive technology. A rehabilitation technology
assessment can identify technology needs.
The trial work experience(s) must be assessed periodically. These
assessments will be used to make a timely eligibility determination. The
consumer will either be accepted for services or determined to be ineligible
based on this clear and convincing evidence, beyond probability, that the
consumer cannot benefit from vocational rehabilitation services in terms of an
employment outcome.
CASE DOCUMENTATION
The case will be placed in status 06 in the Case Management System for
tracking purposes and service expenditures. An Individual Plan for Employment (IPE)
should be completed with the consumer to the extent possible to identify
services, service providers, funding and beginning date for services.
When designing an appropriate trial work experience, it is expected practice
to complete a self-report eligibility worksheet with the consumer reviewing all
areas covered on the eligibility worksheet. The use of the self-report
eligibility worksheet is recommended primarily to identify appropriate trial
work experiences. A consumer can offer more personal insight in identifying
important employment related information where medical and other treatment
providers’ records and notes may not be comprehensive. The counselor will also
be able to examine seven key areas of functional capacity that will determine
limitations and barriers for the consumer. These seven areas will concentrate on
the consumer’s mobility, work tolerance, work skills, self-care,
self-direction, communication, and interpersonal skills. Once these limitations
are known, the counselor and consumer will be able to discuss and design an
appropriate trial work experience, which may include rehabilitation technology.
Greater success will be found when the counselor and consumer work together
in outlining needs, wants, and realistic goals. This planning process will be
beneficial in identifying appropriate service needs to be outlined in the IPE.
RESOURCES FOR TRIAL WORK EXPERIENCES:
PACE
Preparing Adults for Competitive Employment (PACE) is an internal community
based work adjustment program. There are a number of PACE programs available
statewide. Each program has been designed by the local staff to meet the needs
of their community and consumers.
One of the components of PACE is a slot placement. This component could be
used as trial work experience. In this component a consumer is placed in a
community based training site based on their abilities, interests, and
choices. The duration of this training can vary from 120-140 hours. Follow-up
support and guidance are primary services in this component. A job coach can
be provided by PACE staff or contracted with on a consumer basis.
The counselor and PACE staff should work together to insure the effective
use of a PACE slot as trial work experience. Although existing PACE slots can
be considered as appropriate placements, the unique needs of the consumer are
to be considered and a placement may need to be developed especially for a
specific consumer.
PACE and Partnerships with Community Rehabilitation Programs
Involvement in Trial Work Experiences:
PACE and Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs) can compliment each other
to provide trial work experience for consumers.
A CRP and PACE can work together, as a team, to develop appropriate
community training sites. A CRP can provide job coaching or other services, as
needed, and meet weekly with the PACE team to assess the consumer’s work
related progress. The PACE team can coordinate additional services with other
agency providers to assess and meet the needs of the consumer through
rehabilitation technology, person centered planning, and continuing evaluation
of the need for job coaching and/or utilizing Department staff to provide job
coaching and support services. The responsibility of the PACE team would be to
coordinate services, develop appropriate community training sites in
conjunction with the CRP and arrange job coaching or other services with the
CRP.
Job Coaches
The first place to look for a job coach for a consumer requiring a trial
work experience would be with existing resources that may already be involved
with the consumer but using the person centered planning approach. Other
sources may be:
 | Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs) |
| Retired Department of Vocational Rehabilitation/Department for the
Blind/Department of Employment Services personnel, teachers, social workers,
nurses |
| Graduate Programs in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Psychology,
or Education |
| Independent Living Centers |
| Comprehensive Care or other organizations serving consumers with mental
illness |
| Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) |
| Various community organizations or clubs |
Developing Contracts for Job Coaches
The counselor must develop a DVR-9 (Agreement for Services) when hiring an
independent job coach. The contract should outline the specific expectations
for the job coach to assist a consumer during a trial work experience. The
qualifications of a potential job coach should be closely reviewed for
compatibility with the consumer(s). The Services Section of the DVR-9 should
include the following information:
Job coaching activities will include:
The Job Coach will explore the consumer’s ability to perform in a variety
of work situations and will provide consumer instruction to assist the
consumer on at least three trial work sites to determine that the consumer can
benefit from services in terms of an employment outcome. This service should
be tailored to each consumer’s needs and provide appropriate supports which
may include, but not limited to, assistance in relating to supervisors and
coworkers, general orientation to the work setting, ensuring that the consumer
is punctual, and helping the consumer become oriented to the actual job tasks.
This may involve assisting the consumer in learning the duties of his/her
Trial Work Experience through job/task analysis and other methods.
The amount of job coaching per consumer will vary based on the needs of the
consumer as assessed by the DVR counselor. The authorization will be issued in
advance of the service provided, specifying the actual number of hours
anticipated. Any change of plans will require approval of the counselor. The
rate of reimbursement for these services will be based on contracts negotiated
with consumer job coaches. No obligation for services for any consumer is
assumed by the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation until it is authorized.
Regular progress reports will be given to the DVR counselor by the job
coach for each consumer. Reports in the form of progress notes should be made
for each day of service and shared with the counselor at least monthly, and
the actual amount of hours and description of services should accompany each
authorization (EP-8) to document the service provided. This must be done prior
to the authorization being processed for payment.
Training for Job Coaches
Training can be provided through CRP’s, a local school system’s School
to Work Transition Program, or the UK Human Development Institute’s training
workshop on Supported Employment.
Carl D. Perkins Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center
If resources are not available in the consumer’s home community, the Carl
D. Perkins Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center (CDPCRC) is an alternative for
trial work experience. The CDPCRC staff will work with each counselor on an
individualized basis to develop a trial work experience program that is
appropriate to meet the need of the consumer.
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