7.1 Introduction

When determining the initial placement for W-2W-2Wisconsin Works applicants, FEPFEPFinancial and Employment Planners must use all information gathered from the:

• Informal assessment (see 5.2);
• Educational Needs AssessmentEducational needs assessments determine if the individual needs, or would benefit from, education or training activities, including a course of study for the granting of a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation. In making this determination, the FEP must consider the following: • The information gathered on the applicant/participant’s current educational levels; • The level of education and training necessary to obtain full-time employment in the local labor market; and • The applicant/participant’s personal employment goals. (see 5.3);
• Any Career AssessmentA broad spectrum of assessment tools that W-2 agencies, applicants, and participants use to obtain greater awareness about how an individual’s work styles, skills, and interests can be used to define a career path, assign meaningful activities, highlight strengths, identify training needs, and match the individual to employment opportunities results that identify work styles, skills, and interests (see 5.4);
• Progress made in up-front job search, if assigned (see 2.9.2); and
• Results of any other Vocational Evaluation/AssessmentAssessments which are conducted to help individuals living with a disability establish realistic vocational goals and a plan to achieve them. The vocational evaluation process is designed to assess the unique strengths, resources, and experiences of an individual in order to match that person’s abilities and preferences to appropriate work placements, jobs, or training programs. The process is interactive; the intent is for staff to learn about the participant and the participant to learn about themselves or formal assessments (see 5.1.1).

When making initial placements, FEPs must also:

• Discuss and review all factors informing placement decision with the applicant;
• Never delay placement because a formal assessment is pending (see 5.1.1.2); and
• Document the reasons for the placement decision in PIN comments.

FEPs must provide ongoing case management including periodic reassessment of an individual’s current placement as circumstances change.

Participants must be placed at the highest level of participation possible.

This chapter outlines the W-2 program placements and their eligibility criteria, participation requirements, time limits, and W-2 services available.

Some placements are specifically for applicants and others are specifically for ongoing participants. The table below provides a brief description of the W-2 placement types.