2. Vocational Rehabilitation
3. Service Providers
4. Technical Specifications
5. Explore Work
6. Explore Work Tech Specs

DVR Technical Specifications: Explore Work

Effective April 27, 2020

Description of Service

Explore Work is a web-based learning program that covers topics critical to a successful career outcome. The modules are geared toward youth but may be helpful for adults as well. Individual, remotely delivered sessions may be authorized to ensure timely and appropriate services for the consumer. Skills are taught using a variety of activities that are engaging and targeted to the youth or adult learner. Each course is broken into lessons.

Visit the Explore Work site for the complete curriculum.

Any existing DVR statewide service provider or approved agency can deliver Explore Work and should contact Andrzej Walz-Chojnacki for requirements to be added to the list of approved providers.

Explore Work must be provided by staff who have background and skills in presenting material to youth and adult learners and are knowledgeable about youth and adult learning styles. Additionally, when provided remotely, the service provider and consumer must each have access to a computer and internet connection to navigate the online curriculum. Telephone connection or online meeting platforms may also be used for meetings between the provider and the consumer.

An Authorization for Services is required from DVR before any services can begin.

Explore Work Service

• The online courses can be found on the Explore Work site.
In most cases, all 5 courses should be authorized as they cover a variety of topics relevant to most DVR consumers. Some aspects of this service may have been delivered via other means (job shadow, voc. Eval., STPB etc.). In those cases, only the necessary courses should be authorized. The courses should be coded as follows:
• Students:
  • Career Planning and Job Exploration: PRE-ETS: Assessment 201
  • Your First Work Experiences Pre-ETS: Job Shadow 225
  • School Beyond HS PRE-ETS: Post-Secondary Counsl 211
  • Workplace Readiness PRE-ETS: Training: Job Readiness 216
  • Self-Advocacy PRE-ETS: Instruc on Self-Advoc 207
• Adults: Training: Job Readiness - 057
• Each lesson contains one or more of the following types of activities:
  • Videos
  • Journaling, Self-Surveys, and Quizzes (generate email record of results)
  • External activities (may require .pdf download to track activity)
• Service providers and counselors should consider the individual abilities of each consumer and the degree of support required to complete the curriculum. This curriculum and format may not be appropriate for every consumer. Likewise, some consumers may be able to complete the service independently.
• Before referring for the service, DVR will confirm the consumer has internet access. DVR should also include consumer-specific disability and cultural considerations with the referral. Consumers should notify DVR if connectivity issues occur during service delivery, or the service is otherwise ineffective.
• Prior to receiving authorizations for this service Providers must:
  • Visit Explore-Work.com and complete the courses
  • Review DVR Service Description and Report template
  • View Training Overview Webinar (optional)
  • Review NASDTEC Model Code of Ethics for Educators
  • Describe service delivery resources
    • Technology requirements (hardware, software, teleconferencing platform with video and screen sharing, connectivity)
    • Qualifying staff experience, skills or credentials
    • Ability to individualize curriculum with respect to disability and cultural considerations
• When conducting meetings with consumers remotely, service providers should:
  • Establish a protocol for meeting with the consumer (schedule, method)
  • Test teleconferencing capability before the first session
  • Confirm access to needed software (compatible web browser, PDF plug-in, video conferencing)
  • Confirm consumer access to email account via test email
  • Create an Explore-Work User Account online
    • use "Guided Learning" option
    • if consumer is not logged into their account, their progress will not be recorded, and providers will not be able to submit certificates of completion
  • Create a dedicated folder for the deliverables of each consumer
• DVR recommends scheduling at least one (1) hour to complete each lesson of a course. The actual timeframe for delivering a lesson may take more or less than one hour. The service provider should adjust the lesson timeframe depending on the engagement and attention of the consumer. The intention of spacing out the curriculum is to allow for the consumer to absorb and use the material. A service provider should refrain from scheduling the lessons over too short a timeframe and should check in with the consumer about lesson pacing.
• It may be helpful for the service provider to modify activities and content to effectively serve the diverse populations within the DVR program. Consumers' life experiences may differ based on oppression, life chances/opportunities, discrimination, culture, language, sexual orientation, gender, etc. If activities have been modified please describe in your reporting. Service providers should check in periodically with consumers to make sure the service is valuable and contributing toward progress with their IPE goal.
• Service provider may submit consumer transcript upon request (optional).

Service/Reporting Requirements

DVR service and reporting elements are located in the required reporting template(s) found on the DVR Technical Specifications & Sample Reports page.

Reports are due within five (5) business days of the end of the service or the end of each month in which the service was provided if the service is continuing.

***If the service provider is seeking to use their own reporting template, the report must contain all elements and follow the same sequence as the required DVR reporting template. Please email the DVR Program Development Specialist at DVRSpecialContracts@dwd.wisconsin.gov to submit a reporting template and request for approval.

Billing Requirements

Invoices for services should be submitted as described on the Authorization for Services, also referred to as the purchase order (PO). Invoices must be received by DVR within 60 days of completion of the service. Properly submitted invoices will be paid within 30 days of receipt when reports and services have been delivered and accepted as specified.