32 Miss. Code. R. 22-3.17.5
Regular Vocational-Technical Training
Some students with disabilities will participate in regular Vocational Technical Programs (Vo-Tech) such as welding, auto mechanics, auto body repair and etc. Students who are participating in a regular Vo-Tech program for part of the day and have academic classes the remainder of the day should not be offered services at a CRP as an option. For students who are in a regular Vo-Tech program the entire day and are allowed by the school to attend a CRP may do so when appropriately planned with the CRP facility manager.
Vocational Assessment
A vocational assessment helps to determine a students abilities, limitations, interests and potential for training or towards a vocational goal. Students should proceed with having a vocational assessment to aid in development of the IPE. The VR counselor or other designated Agency personnel should be able to conduct an assessment of a student through vocational testing, work observation or generalized counseling and guidance. An appropriate assessment should be obtained prior to a student receiving Agency sponsored training. The counselor should seek any preexisting data which may include school records, information from the individual, the family or representative of the individual, prior evaluations and other documents that address questions regarding eligibility and the vocational rehabilitation needs of the individual.
The VR counselor may choose to utilize a CRP to obtain the vocational assessment. Vocational assessments provided through a CRP, such as AbilityWorks, Inc, should be provided at the most optimum and convenient location the assessment may be conducted at the facility, the local school, an MDRS office or other community locations.
Work Evaluation/Job Readiness Training
Counselors should inform school personnel that the CRP may provide up to a 6 week work evaluation which may begin during the junior school year. After the work evaluation is completed, recommendations can help determine the services the student needs. Job Readiness training may be planned and provided for each student individually as needed and appropriate and based on the availability of openings at the CRP.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) mandates that an individual be disabled for work performed at a CRP in order to be paid subminimum wage. An appropriate assessment is required prior to the student receiving paid work experience and should show how the disability impairs the students productivity on work assignments at the CRP.
The counselor will provide to the CRP records from school and/or other pertinent sources (medical physician, pediatrician, psychologist, psychiatrist and etc.), documentation of a disability and how it interferes with the students employment potential. The CRP must determine if the student is able to perform work at the CRP based on the documentation of the disability. Should the prior assessment not specifically address this issue, a new vocational assessment will need to be obtained prior to entrance into Work Evaluation/Job Readiness Training. Everyone being served at an AbilityWorks is covered by Workers' Compensation during the time they are on payroll.
NOTE: The VR Transition Counselor should communicate regularly with the AbilityWorks Facility Manager to keep him/her informed of the number of potential referrals and be advised of the availability of work. Counselors should not make promises of any CRP services to students without reasonable assurances that the CRP will be accessible. (Accessible means access to transportation by the school, presence of sufficient CRP staff to provide adequate supervision, and availability of adequate amount and appropriate types of contract work.)
On-The-Job Training (OJT)
OJT may be developed occasionally with a student who is in the last few weeks or months of their school program. (Refer to Section 3.11.4) There is always an employee/employer relationship in an OJT program. The VR Transition Counselor and the employer (trainer) agree upon a fee that the Agency will pay for the training (usually on an hourly basis). It is the employer's responsibility to pay wages, taxes, Workers' Compensation, etc. on the client the same as with any other employee.
Other Work/Training Activities
There may be other types of work/training activities in which students have opportunities to participate such as internships, apprenticeships or volunteer activities. The counselor should encourage students to participate in all such experiences available to them during their school program. As with all other training programs provided to students, once they leave the school system, it becomes the full responsibility of the VR Transition Counselor to provide services necessary to prepare the individual for work and/or provide job development and placement in permanent employment that satisfies the goals and objectives of the IPE.
32 Miss. Code. R. 22-3.17.5