Internship Temporary Work (I/TW)

About

Internship/Temporary Work (I/TW) is time-limited, paid work. This service is designed to provide DVR consumers in-depth knowledge of day-to-day work requirements in a competitive integrated setting. Possible purposes may be to try out a job, determine an appropriate vocational goal, determine needs for rehabilitation technology or job accommodations, assist with work hardening, or develop a current work reference or new skills.

Consumer Engagement and Relationships

It is important for the consumer, the provider staff, and DVR to establish a productive working relationship to make forward progress. Included in DVR reporting, please identify and update, as needed, an expected contact standard. The provider and consumer should discuss and agree to how often, the length of meetings, type of meeting (in person, remote meeting) and where they will meet to promote progress. The consumer and providers should also agree to how to communicate changes to scheduled meetings. If a consumer is disengaged for more than a month, or there are critical issues impacting progress during authorized services, please reach out to notify DVR directly via phone or email. Please also share the Roles and Responsibilities with consumers, which may be helpful in describing expectations.

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

Service Details

Internship/Temporary Work Experience

An Internship/Temporary Work (I/TW) will typically range from two weeks to three months and should not exceed 90 calendar days without an approved exception request. The timeframe for the temporary work should be individualized, based on consumer and employer input, and the purpose of the service. In other words, Internships should not default to 90 days, but correspond to the purpose of the internship.

Temporary work services should not be provided for the purpose of maintenance (i.e., to meet the financial needs of the consumer). Consumers cannot work more than 40 hours per week or earn overtime during an I/TW.

If a provider believes that a consumer would benefit from an I/TW, they should not provide this option to an employer or discuss it with a consumer before discussion with DVR and an authorization is issued for the service.

Each I/TW site should be developed individually for each consumer based on their skills, interests, and meet the purpose of the internship/temporary work. DVR must identify the purpose and other goals for authorizing the service to the provider. (Current work reference, to build stamina, identify employment goal, etc.) It can be included in the notes section of the DVR PO, in the DVR service provider portal messaging feature, an email to the provider, or via direct phone conversations with the provider and DVR.

The service provider should not develop dedicated positions for temporary work at a set location or employer which become, in effect, a non-integrated position or “slot” for a consumer. Similarly, temporary work sites developed by educators in which groups of students perform work do not meet the definitions of individualization or integration. Any exceptions to this require WDA Director approval, and case facilitators should consult with their supervisors prior to authorization.

Some consumers may use I/TWs as a stand-alone service or with other DVR services including Systematic Instruction to support the consumer during the I/TW, Supported Employment, Job Search and Hire, or other services. The provider should continue deliver any authorized services during the timeframe of the I/TW.

The consumer and DVR must agree the site is an appropriate placement, consistent with technical specifications and the purpose as stated in the notes section of the of the DVR PO.

Fee Schedule

Internship Temporary Work - Fee Schedule

$750

Internship/Temporary Work Placement and Reports: Payable upon delivery of acceptable service and timely report(s) within five (5) business days of the conclusion of the last day of the placement. Monthly reports are due to DVR within five (5) business days of the conclusion of the previous month of service for the length of the placement. Fee provided covers site set-up and ongoing worksite monitoring costs. Prevailing wages to the consumer are authorized separately to a contracted Employer of Record service. Completion of ongoing service and report not to exceed 60 days from issue of service authorization.

Service Notes

The service provider cannot receive payment for an I/TW at their place of employment or as a sub-contractor of their place of employment, unless approved in advance by DVR Management.

If the full term of the I/TW is not completed, or the consumer does not start, the provider may be eligible for payment if:

• All required elements of the start of an ITW are in place (agreement by all parties that the site was appropriate, temporary work agreement, wages purchase order, and employer of record documentation).
• The stated purpose of the ITW would have been met (assessment, test job match, etc.
• A completion report detailing new information resulting from the process is submitted; and the reason for non-completion is outside of the control of the service provider.

An exception request will need to be approved by either the WDA Director or Supervisor:

• To extend an I/TW beyond 90 days
• To complete another I/TW within 15 business days of the first
• If a request for a second I/TW is made at the same employer site (a second I/TW at the same employer site must be for a new position with new job duties)
• If an I/TW is for a non-profit or volunteer organization work is typically performed by a volunteer.

DVR may choose to deny a proposal for an I/TW with an employment site if the reason for the employer request is based solely on the disability of the consumer.

Reports/Forms

Resources

• Internship/Temporary Work Guidance
• DVR Business Services
• Competitive Integrated Employment Guidance
• Job Center of Wisconsin
• Role and Responsibilities
• Transportation Plan
• Wisconsin Association for Persons Supporting Employment First
• Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities
• Wisconsin Job Center Publications (Multiple titles for viewing or printing)
• Wisconsin labor market information: Visit WisConomy.com

Qualifications

Providers who are delivering statewide services must agree to have qualified personnel complete the services.

DVR is working on qualifications for 2026-28 contract period, more information will be provided when those qualifications have been identified.

Metrics

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation has identified service specific criteria for all statewide services. The list below contains objective information that DVR will begin to collect and use to establish baseline quality information, and eventually establish goals for quality improvement with our provider partners. The effort to collect the information, verify accuracy, establish data baselines and targets will take time and collaboration. DVR's goal in identifying these criteria in the technical specifications is to assist providers in understanding what elements DVR considers important in the delivery of statewide services.