Internship/Temporary Work (I/TW)

Internship/Temporary Work (I/TW) provides time-limited, paid work experience in a competitive, integrated setting. The I/TW assists DVR and consumers with determining the consumer's strengths and needs for support in a job setting. DVR staff identify the purpose and goals of the I/TW with the consumer and communicate this to the Service Provider. Possible purposes of an I/TW include:

• Determine a compatible vocational goal.
• Determine needs for assistive technology or job accommodations.
• Build endurance for work (work hardening).
• Develop new skills.
• Establish current work references.
• Try out a position to determine if it is a good fit.

Important: DVR authorization is required prior to offering or negotiating an I/TW with an employer or a consumer. See Service Requirements below for more details.

Consumer Engagement and Partnerships

A strong partnership between the consumer, Service Provider staff, and DVR is essential to support progress toward employment goals. A productive working partnership includes regular communication, clarity on expectations, and shared problem-solving.

Within DVR Reports, Service Providers should identify and update, as needed, an expected contact standard. The Service Provider and consumer should discuss and agree on this contact standard, including how often they will connect, the type of contact (in person, virtual, phone, or email), and how long meetings will typically last. They should also agree on how any changes to scheduled meetings will be communicated.

Written reports document services provided and progress, but do not replace timely communication with DVR when urgent issues arise. Service Providers must notify DVR as soon as they become aware of situations that present a risk to consumer safety or well-being, or that may require immediate intervention. For less urgent barriers or changes that may affect employment progress, Service Providers should use professional judgment and communicate with DVR as appropriate.

Providers are encouraged to review the DVR Roles and Responsibilities with consumers, to support shared understanding of expectations.

Summary of Services Table

Providers should monitor progress and adhere to the timeframes for delivery of individual services identified in the table below.

Service Delivery Expectations

• I/TW services must be delivered in accordance with the principles of competitive, integrated employment (CIE) and in coordination with the consumer's DVR Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
• Service Providers are required to contact the consumer for whom services have been authorized within five (5) days of the receipt of the purchase order.
• A DVR Authorization for Services is required before any services can begin.
• Services are expected to be completed in accordance with the technical specifications and within required timeframes.

Internship/Temporary Work (I/TW)

Service Components

Individualized Placement:

• Each I/TW site should be developed individually, to match the consumer's skills, interests, and the stated purpose of the I/TW, including the timeframe for the I/TW.
• DVR staff must identify the purpose (and any other goals for authorizing service) and include this in the notes section of the DVR Purchase Order (PO) or otherwise communicate them to the Service Provider.
• The consumer and DVR must agree that the work site and timeframe for the I/TW are appropriate and consistent with technical specifications and the stated purpose of the I/TW.

Timeframe:

• The duration of an I/TW should be no longer than necessary to meet the stated purpose.
• I/TWs typically range from two weeks to 45 days. The I/TW must not exceed 45 calendar days without local management approval in a case note.
• Important: The timeframe or length of an I/TW should be individualized and correspond to the identified purpose of the I/TW, along with the individual needs of the consumer and input from the work site.

Restrictions: I/TW services should not be used:

• For purposes of maintenance (e.g., to meet the financial needs of the consumer).
• To allow for an employer to "try out" a consumer for the purpose of determining whether the consumer can perform the job.
• To replace or reduce hours of current employees (e.g., employees laid off, on strike, or labor disputes).
• To create dedicated positions at a set location or business which become a “slot” for a consumer.
• For work sites developed by educators or providers in which groups of students/consumers perform similar work together.
• At a work site when the request for the I/TW is based solely on the consumer's disability.
• Consult with DVR to ensure placement is appropriate based on individual circumstances.

Exceptions:

• Any exceptions to the above require an Exception Request approved by a WDA Director or Supervisor, and DVR case facilitators should consult with their supervisors prior to authorization.
• Additionally, Exception Requests are required for:
  • Completing another I/TW within 15 business days of a prior I/TW.
  • A second I/TW is requested at the same work site (must be a new position with new job duties).
  • I/TWs at nonprofits for work that is typically performed by a volunteer.
  • I/TWs needing to be extended beyond the allowable 90 days.

Related Services:

• I/TWs may be provided alone or in conjunction with other DVR services, including Systematic Instruction (SI), Supported Employment, Job Development Hire, or other authorized services.
• Service Providers should continue delivering any authorized services during the I/TW timeframe.
• If Systematic Instruction (SI) is authorized in conjunction with an I/TW, a fading plan for anticipated supports should be discussed prior to the I/TW beginning and documented in the JTA and SI reports.

Service Requirements

• Do not offer an I/TW option to an employer before discussion with DVR and an authorization/PO has been issued for the service.
• Once an I/TW has been authorized, Service Providers can refer to the Internship/Temporary Work Process Checklist for the specific steps to set-up the I/TW.
• Service Providers should share the Internship/Temporary Work for Consumers handout with the consumer. The DVR Internship/Temporary Work Site Information for Businesses should be shared with the site business.
• Once an employer work site has been secured:
  • Complete the I/TW Agreement Internship/Temporary Work Agreement (DVR-17206-E) and provide related forms and documents to the consumer and/or site employer.
  • Submit the completed Agreement to DVR and obtain a PO for wages.
  • Assist the consumer with onboarding tasks, as needed, in the Employer of Record (EOR) system, including uploading required documentation or supporting alternate methods if needed. Provider's personal devices must not be used for sensitive documents.
  • Ensure the I/TW Agreement and DVR PO are uploaded via the EOR system at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the consumer's anticipated start date.
  • The EOR must approve the I/TW and may not support positions with work-related safety risks. Examples include driving positions; any paid time spent in a vehicle including travel between job sites; construction; manual welding/griding; and farm jobs involving heavy machinery, power saws, woodchippers, ladder work, or accessing roof tops.
  • Monitor the work site, ensure workplace rules are followed, and confirm DVR-authorized hours are adhered to.
  • Confirm weekly time entries with the employer and approve consumer's worked hours in the EOR system on schedule each week.
  • Notify DVR immediately of any changes to schedule, site, or agreement circumstances.

Additional Considerations

• Consumers may not work more than 40 hours per week or earn overtime during an I/TW.
• Service Providers should remind consumers 10 days prior to the I/TW end date that the I/TW will be ending and of the scheduled review meeting.
• Service Providers cannot receive payment for an I/TW at their place of employment or as a sub-contractor of their employer, unless approved in advance by DVR management.
• If the full term of the I/TW is not completed or the consumer does not start, Service Providers may be eligible for payment if:
  • All required elements of the start of an I/TW are in place (agreement by all parties that the work site was appropriate, completed I/TW Agreement, wages PO, and EOR documentation).
  • The stated purpose of the I/TW would have been met (i.e., work reference, build stamina, identify employment goal, etc.)
  • An Internship/Temporary Work Report is completed and submitted to DVR detailing new information resulting from the process; and the reason for non-completion is outside of the Service Provider's control.
• When a consumer is paid at two different rates within the same I/TW (e.g., shift differential), both rates should be listed on one I/TW Agreement and one PO, with each pay rate on a separate line.
• When a consumer requires hands-on training for a specific job in the workplace, consider using On-The-Job-Training (OJT) instead to meet those needs. This option may be appropriate for consumer who need practical skill development, when employers can provide structured training, or when the workplace environment is conducive to learning on the job.

Documentation/Reporting Expectations

When development activities are provided to secure or set up an Internship/Temporary Work (I/TW), progress must be documented monthly using the Job Development Monthly Report (DVR-18028-E).

Agreement Signature Requirements: The Internship/Temporary Work Agreement (DVR-17206-E) must be signed by all involved parties, including the consumer (or guardian, if applicable), Service Provider, work site business, and DVR staff. Signatures may be handwritten or obtained electronically via a secure platform such as Docusign.

When Systematic Instruction (SI) is authorized concurrently with an I/TW:

• Ongoing monthly progress must be documented using the Systematic Instruction Report (DVR-18212-E) only, to reduce duplicative reporting.
• The final Internship/Temporary Work Report (DVR-18025-E) is still required at service conclusion.

When no SI is authorized:

• An Internship/Temporary Work Report (DVR-18025-E) must be completed at the end of each month during the I/TW and at service conclusion.

• Internship/Temporary Work Forms, Publications, and Resources
• Internship/Temporary Work for Consumers (printable)
• DVR Internship/Temporary Work Site Information for Businesses (printable)
• Internship/Temporary Work Process Checklist
• Shared Roles and Responsibilities in DVR
• Transportation Plan
• DVR Business Services
• Job Center of Wisconsin
• Competitive Integrated Employment Guidance
• Wisconsin Association for Persons Supporting Employment First (WI APSE)
• Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD)
• Wisconsin Job Center
• Wisconsin Job Center Publications (Multiple titles for viewing or printing)
• Wisconsin labor market information: Visit WisConomy.com

Qualifications

Service Providers delivering I/TW services must ensure that personnel assigned to provide these services will meet DVR's Service Provider Qualification Requirements (SPQR) by July 1, 2027. Newly hired personnel after July 1, 2027, will have nine (9) months from hire date to meet the established qualification requirements.

SPQR ensures provider staff have foundational training in disability, employment, and person-centered practices to support consistent, high-quality service delivery.

See Service Provider Qualification Requirements webpage for more information and additional resources.

These qualifications do not need to be met at the start of the 2026 Service Agreement term (July 1, 2026), but Service Providers should ensure personnel are prepared to meet the requirements by the implementation date (July 1, 2027).

Metrics

DVR has identified service-specific criteria for all statewide services. The list below contains objective information that DVR will collect to establish baseline quality data and, over time, set goals for continuous quality improvement in partnership with Service Providers. DVR recognizes that gathering accurate data, verifying information, and developing meaningful targets will take time and collaboration. These criteria are included in the technical specifications to help Service Providers understand the elements DVR considers important in delivering high-quality statewide services.

Statewide Service Specific Criteria