Technical Specifications - Explore Work

Explore Work is a web-based learning program that covers topics critical to achieving a successful career outcome. The curriculum is geared toward youth but may also be helpful for adults. Individual, remotely delivered sessions may be authorized to support timely and appropriate services for the consumer. Skills are taught through a variety of engaging activities tailored to the youth and/or adult learners, including videos, journaling, self-surveys, quizzes, and guided external activities.

Explore Work supports person-centered, competitive integrated employment (CIE) principles by helping consumers identify career interests, build workplace readiness skills, and plan next steps aligned with their Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The full curriculum is available on the Explore Work website.

Any existing DVR statewide Service Provider or approved agency can deliver Explore Work, subject to DVR approval requirements.

Summary of Services Table

Service Delivery Expectations

• An Authorization for Services from DVR is required before any services can begin.
• Prior to receiving authorizations for this service, Service Provider staff must have completed the requirements described within the Explore Work Provider Checklist (see Qualifications section).
• DVR staff and Service Providers should consider the individual abilities of the consumer, access to technology, and level of needed support.
• Some consumers may be able to complete portions of the curriculum independently; others may require structured support.
• DVR will confirm the consumer's ability to access the internet prior to referral and will communicate any relevant disability-related or cultural considerations with the referral.
• Providers must communicate and coordinate with DVR regarding progress, barriers, and any recommended adjustments to service delivery.

Explore Work Service Overview

Explore Work consists of a series of online courses, each broken into lessons that address career planning, work readiness, self-advocacy, and post-secondary preparation. The service may be authorized for students and/or adults and delivered remotely using guided learning.

In most cases, all five courses should be authorized, as they cover topics relevant to many DVR consumers. If similar content has already been delivered through other services (e.g., job shadows, vocational evaluation, Skills to Pay the Bills), only the necessary courses should be authorized.

The courses are as follows:

• Career Planning and Job Exploration - (Pre-ETS Assessment 201) *
• Your First Work Experiences - (Pre-ETS Job Shadow 225) *
• School Beyond High School - (Pre-ETS Post-Secondary Counseling 211) *
• Workplace Readiness - (Pre-ETS Training: Job Readiness 216) *
• Self-Advocacy - (Pre-ETS Instruction on Self-Advocacy 207) *

*(For adults, use code 057: Instruction on Self-Advocacy for all five courses.)

Service Components

• Online courses and lessons accessed through the Explore Work platform.
• Guided learning activities, which may include:
  • Videos
  • Journaling, self-surveys, and quizzes (with emailed records of results)
  • External activities (may require PDF downloads)
• Scheduled meetings or check-ins between provider and consumer (virtual or phone).

Service Requirements

Service Providers must:

• Ensure staff providing Explore Work have background and skills in presenting material to youth and adult learners and are knowledgeable about youth and adult learning styles.
• Test teleconferencing capabilities prior to the first session with the consumer.
• Confirm computer/internet access to required technology, including a compatible web browser, PDF viewing capability, video conferencing platform, and email access (verified via test email).
• Establish a protocol for remote meetings, including scheduling and communication methods.
• Use the Guided Learning option when creating Explore Work user accounts to ensure progress tracking and certificate generation.
• Create and maintain a dedicated folder for each consumer's service deliverables.
• Adjust lesson pacing based on consumer engagement and learning needs. DVR recommends allowing approximately one hour per lesson, recognizing that actual time may vary.
• Curriculum should be spaced out to allow for the consumer to absorb and use the material. Providers should refrain from scheduling the lessons over too short a timeframe and should check in with the consumer regarding lesson pacing.
• Modify activities and content as needed to effectively serve the diverse consumers with DVR. Any modifications must be described in the report.
• Providers should check in periodically with consumers to ensure the service remains valuable and supports progress towards their IPE goal.

Additional Considerations

• Providers should notify DVR if connectivity issues occur during service delivery or if the service is otherwise ineffective.
• Providers may be asked to submit a consumer transcript (upon request).

Documentation/Reporting Expectations

1. Required documentation for this service must be completed using the Explore Work Report Template (DVR-18796-E) or an approved equivalent.
2. Providers may use DVR-provided templates or their own report formats, if all required elements are included, and the general sequence of information is maintained.
3. Reports are due within five (5) business days of the end of the service or the end of each month if the service is ongoing.

• Explore Work curriculum website
• Explore Work Provider Checklist
• Service Provider Staff Approved to Deliver Explore Work
• NASDTEC Model Code of Ethics for Educators

Qualifications

Any existing DVR statewide Service Provider or approved agency may deliver Explore Work. Providers must contact Andrzej Walz-Chojnacki to complete approval requirements and be added to the list of approved Explore Work providers.

Prior to receiving authorizations for this service, providers must complete all requirements outlined in the DVR Service Provider Explore Work Checklist. The checklist serves as the primary qualification and verification document for this service and must be completed and submitted to DVR.

At a minimum, providers must ensure that all staff delivering Explore Work:

• Visit Explore-Work.com and complete the Explore Work courses.
• Review the DVR Explore Work Technical Specifications and Report template.
• Review the NASDTEC Model Code of Ethics for Educators.
• View the Explore Work Training Overview Webinar (optional).

Providers must also document their service delivery capacity, including:

• Technology requirements (hardware, software, internet connectivity, and teleconferencing platform with video and screen-sharing capability).
• Qualifying staff experience, skills, or credentials relevant to delivering instruction to youth and adult learners.
• Ability to individualize curriculum based on disability-related needs and cultural considerations.

Completion and submission of the checklist confirms that the provider will apply these requirements during service delivery. DVR will retain documentation of:

• Provider staff Explore Work certificates of completion,
• Description of service delivery resources, and
• WDA feedback or approval, as applicable.

A current list of Service Provider Staff Approved to Deliver Explore Work is maintained by DVR and is updated monthly.