5.1.1 Assessment at Application

During the application process and prior to placing the individual in a W-2 placement, the W-2 agency:

Must work with the applicant to complete an informal assessment; (See 5.2)
Must work with the applicant to complete an educational needs assessment; (See 5.3)
Must offer the BST; (See 5.4.1.1) and
May require the applicant to participate in up-front job search activities as a condition of eligibility. (See 2.9.2)

To make the initial W-2 placement and to the develop the EP, the FEP must use the results of the informal assessment, results from the educational needs assessment, the BST results if available, and the progress made during assignment to up-front job search activities.

During the application process, the FEP may also refer the applicant for vocational evaluation or formal assessment of employment barriers. (See 5.5.1) However, completing referrals for vocational evaluations or formal assessments are not eligibility requirements.

When an applicant needs extra time to gather verification for eligibility, the FEP can extend the application time frame up to 30 days. Because additional vocational evaluations and formal assessments are not eligibility requirements, the FEP must never delay eligibility determination and placement because a formal assessment is pending. The placement decision must be made using the best available information during the application timeframe. (See 1.4.4) The W-2 placement may be adjusted later, if needed, when the formal assessment information is received.

To gather assessment results, W-2 agencies are encouraged to consult with other employment and training resources, and accept previous assessments done by other agencies if appropriate, including assessments completed in the past by other W-2 agencies.

This page last updated in Release # 11-02
Release Date: 04/07/11
Effective Date: 04/07/11