5.5.1  Formal Assessment

5.5.1.1  When to Use a Formal Assessment
5.5.1.2  How to Use a Formal Assessment

 

A formal assessment is the process of establishing the:

·        Extent and severity of any disabilities or other conditions (e.g., domestic violence, learning needs, need to care for disabled child) that may interfere with normal functioning in an employment setting or with an individual's ability to meet W-2 program requirements;

·        Effect of a disability or other potential Barrier on the Individual's capacity to obtain and maintain Unsubsidized Employment, participate in employment-related activities (e.g., work training activities or education), or otherwise meet W-2 program requirements;

·        Need for supportive services, accommodations, auxiliary aids, or communication assistance;

·        Conditions under which the person is capable of employment or employment related activities;

·        Need to make reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures when necessary to ensure equal opportunity for people with disabilities; and

·        Appropriateness of specific assignments in the W-2 program.

The formal assessment process may include gathering information about the participant from one or more qualified assessment agencies or individuals.

 

5.5.1.1 When to Use a Formal Assessment

A FEP can determine the need for a formal assessment at any point; however, a formal assessment must be offered within 30 calendar days of any of the following situations:

1.             An individual presents medical or other information, including their own statement that indicates they may have a disability or other barrier to participation in the W-2 program or employment; or

2.             A W-2 agency staff or contractor observe behavior that indicates the need for a formal assessment.

The FEP must offer a referral for a formal assessment in any of the following situations:

1.             A participant is placed in a W-2 T position. Participants placed in W-2 T must have a formal assessment scheduled and documented on the EP within 30 calendar days of placement into W-2 T; and

2.             The results of the WWP Informal Assessment  indicates a need for further evaluation for identification of a disability or other barrier to participation in the W-2 program or employment.

Note: When a participant is referred for a formal assessment based on the information discussed during the WWP Informal Assessment, any relevant information must be shared with the assessing agency if the participant agrees to sign a release of information.

When offering a formal assessment, the FEP must:

1.             Document the formal assessment referral date on the WWP Participant Barrier Details or in the Family Barriers page;

2.             Open a FA -- Formal Assessment Pending status for participants who agree to a formal assessment (see 6.4.1); and

3.             Have a formal assessment activity scheduled and documented on the EP within 30 calendar days of the referral date indicated on the corresponding WWP Participant Barrier Details or Family Barriers page.

The FEP can document the results on the Participant Barriers Details page without having to add an activity on the EP when the individual:

·        Has an acceptable previously completed formal assessment; or

·        Obtains a formal assessment without informing the FEP that they scheduled the appointment.

FEPs should consider a formal assessment acceptable if completed within one year prior to the WWP Informal Assessment or W-2 T placement.  It may be necessary for the W-2 agency to follow-up with the agency or individual who completed the assessment to interpret the assessment results and determine if any new treatment is being explored.

If the prior formal assessment results have an expiration date that indicates the results are no longer valid or there is reason to believe the formal assessment information does not reflect the participant’s current circumstances, then a new formal assessment must be completed.

Results from a prior formal assessment may only be used if the assessment:

1.             Contains the necessary elements (see 5.5.3); and

2.             Is relevant to the employment barrier in question.

For example, if a formal assessment completed eight months ago evaluated the need for AODA services, but the potential employment barrier indicated in the WWP Informal Assessment relates to learning needs, then a new formal assessment must be completed.  

 

5.5.1.2  How to Use a Formal Assessment

The FEP must use the W-2 Formal Assessment Agreement (2565) to help explain the purpose of the formal assessment and the type of follow-up services and activities an individual may receive by completing it.

The FEP should strongly emphasize how the applicant or participant can benefit from completing the formal assessment process. The FEP must explain that assessment results will enable the individual and their FEP to make informed decisions about:

·        Their W-2 placement;

·        Their employment goals and the activities that will help reach those goals;

·        Their ability to engage in training and education; and

·        Any special services and work site accommodations they may need.    

The applicant or participant must indicate at the bottom of the agreement their decision to complete or decline a formal assessment.

When a formal assessment is pending, the FEP must use the best information available to initially place an individual in an employment position.

Participating in a formal assessment may be counted as participation in an employment position. The FEP must document all formal assessment information in WWP  utilizing the:

·        WWP Participant Barriers and Family Barriers pages;

·        Formal Assessment Status; and

·        Employability Plan (EP), including PIN comments, as appropriate.  

Within 30 days after receiving the results of the formal assessment, the FEP must:

1.             Make necessary adjustments to the participant’s placement; and

2.             Revise the EP based on the formal assessment.

The services and accommodations that are recommended in the formal assessment must be incorporated into the participant’s EP. This may include:

·        Obtaining needed medical treatment or counseling;

·        Receiving needed services from other providers in the community;

·        Ensuring participants have the necessary services, reasonable modifications and accommodations to successfully engage in assigned W-2 activities; and

·        Working with employers to put needed accommodations into place for participants making the transition to unsubsidized employment.

As part of the process of revising the EP, the FEP must:

1.             Provide the participant with a written description of any needed services, activities, and reasonable modifications or accommodations using the form, Services and Accommodations To Help You Do Your W-2 Activities (2564).

If the FEP does not incorporate all of the recommended accommodations or modifications into the participant’s EP, the FEP must document on the corresponding WWP Participant Barrier page the reason(s) the recommendation(s) were not incorporated.  Any placement change based on a formal assessment must also be discussed with the participant and the participant’s EP must be updated accordingly.

2.             Advise the W-2 education, training, or work site providers of any needed reasonable modifications or accommodations to the W-2 education, training, or worksite.  

The W-2 agency must monitor the participant’s W-2 education, training, or work site to ensure that previously specified services, modifications, or accommodations identified in the EP are provided.

 

 

History: Release 24-11; Release 22-05; Release 21-07; Release 20-03; Release 19-02.