Should trial work experiences be provided when determining a consumers supported employment needs?
Trial work experiences can be a great way to determine the consumers support needs as well as other assessment questions, if there is no existing documentation. As part of the Supported Employment Assessment, as outlined in the technical specifications, a minimum of 8 hours direct observation at one or more job sites is required during the assessment. Work experiences should be used as needed to assist the consumer towards achieving their IPE goal. What if it appears that the consumer is too severely disabled to benefit from services? A case cannot be closed too severely disabled from applicant status. If at any other time in the process it appears the consumer will not be able to benefit from services, an IPE should be written to assess this. Trial work experiences are required services for these plans (if trial work experiences are not available, alternate evaluation services (e.g. situational assessment, or other assessment as appropriate) must be provided in integrated settings and
