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  2. Vocational Rehabilitation
  3. DVR Service Providers
  4. Technical Specifications
  5. Partners with Business

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Partners with Business

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Partners with Business (PwB) is a strategy for providing on-the-job support using a consumer's co-workers instead of a Service Provider employee. The employer is reimbursed for the time a co-worker spends assisting a consumer. This service is especially effective for consumers transitioning to long-term support but can also be used for consumers who are not.

This model:

  • Increases the number of consumers who can access employment supports without overloading job coach capacity.
  • Uses coworkers as natural, unobtrusive supports, reducing stigma and enhancing workplace inclusion.
  • Provides structured employer training to empower and educate coworkers, ensuring more consistent and effective support.
  • Can be used as a step-down model from traditional agency-provided support, or in some cases, implemented from the start of employment.
  • Maintains flexibility to include formal agency supports if needed.

Core Principles:

  • Job matching and consumer empowerment.
  • Systematic instruction and fading of support.
  • Intentional development of natural supports.
  • Ongoing follow-up and backup supports from the Service Provider agency.
  • Employer reimbursement for support costs "above and beyond" natural supports.

Summary of Services Table

SERVICE PURPOSE TIMEFRAMES DELIVERABLES PAYMENT
Initial Month Employer Training & Planning - Provide employer training to support consumer and establish a plan for transition from agency-provided support. 45 days to complete the service
  1. Job and Task Analysis Report
  2. Systematic Instruction Report
  3. Employer agreement
  4. Employer invoice
 $1,675 + co-worker expense
Subsequent Months Implementation & Follow Along – Maintain contact with consumer and employer to confirm satisfactory implementation of PwB supports. 30 days from authorization and ongoing
  1. Systematic Instruction Report
  2. Employer invoice
 $575 + co-worker expense

Service Delivery Expectations

  • A DVR Authorization for Services is required before any services can begin.
  • Any Service Providers with Systematic Instruction approved in their Service Agreement are eligible to provide this service; however, PwB must be provided by staff who experience and skill in employer training and are knowledgeable in Systematic Instruction best practices. Minimum guidelines for the topics to be covered during employer training can be found below.

Partners with Business - Initial Month (Employer Training & Planning)

Service Overview

This service establishes the foundation for PwB supports, providing employer training and a plan for consumer transition from agency-provided support.

Service Components

  • Use the DVR Partners with Business Screening Tool to determine if the consumer's employment situation is a good fit for PwB. If circumstances are a fit, arrange orientation with DVR Program Development staff (contact Andrzej Walz-Chojnacki; Christina Tierney; or the DVR Service Provider mailbox)
  • Complete (or update) Job and Task Analysis.
  • Confirm agreement from both employer and consumer to participate in PwB.
  • Negotiate paid co-worker support, including number of hours, rate, invoice process, and background check of designated co-worker support(s).
  • Sign employer agreement.
  • Provide employer training covering:
    • Overview of employment supports and PwB model.
    • Role of provider, contact information, and backup procedures.
    • Coaching best practices to encourage independence and performance.
    • Consumer-specific communication, learning style, and support plan information.
    • Reporting and documentation processes.
  • Implement the support plan and document outcomes.

Additional Considerations

  • Some traditional employment support may continue in addition to PwB support from the consumer's co-worker.
  • If DVR agrees that unforeseen circumstances require a high degree of support from the Service Provider in the second month, a second payment of $1,675 may be authorized.
  • Service Providers must supply an IRS Form 1099 for any employer receiving more than $600 in compensation in a calendar year.
  • When provided remotely, the Service Provider and employer must each have access to a computer and internet connection to deliver employment support principles training. Telephone connection or online meeting platforms may also be used for meetings between the Service Provider and the consumer.
  • The monthly fees for PwB include a $75 Employer of Record payroll setup fee to compensate Service Providers for processing invoices and disbursing the invoiced funds to the employer.
  • Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) has developed templates which Service Providers may find useful, including templates for agreements and invoices.

Partners with Business - Subsequent Months (Implementation & Follow Along)

Service Overview

This service is an ongoing service to maintain support fidelity, track consumer progress, and confirm employer satisfaction with PwB implementation. Subsequent months may continue until Transition to Long-Term Support or case closure.

Service Components

  • Weekly or regular touchpoints with consumer and employer.
  • Document all monthly activities.
  • Facilitate any follow-along support needed to ensure consumer progress toward independence.
  • Collect employer invoice and provide reimbursement.
RATE SERVICE
$1,675 + co-worker expense

Partners with Business – Initial Month

Payable upon completion of acceptable service and timely submission of required report(s) to DVR within five (5) business days of the conclusion of the previous month of service or the last contact with the consumer. Initiation of service must occur within 30 days of receipt of the purchase order. (See Coding Note below)
$575 + co-worker expense

Partners with Business – Subsequent Months

Payable upon completion of acceptable service and timely submission of required report(s) to DVR within five (5) business days of the conclusion of the previous month of service or the last contact with the consumer. Initiation of service must occur within 30 days of receipt of the purchase order.
(See Coding Note below)

Fee Schedule/Coding Note

The activity code for Partners with Business should correspond to the consumer's service type and type of ongoing support being provided:

  • Regular Job Development - Code 028: On-the-job Supports.
  • Supported Employment - Code 050: Supported Employ: Trans to LTS/Monthly SI/JTA.
  • IPS - Code 079: IPS (SE) Transition to LTS/Monthly SI/JTA.
  • Customized Employment - Code 074: Custom Emp (SE): Transition to LTS/Monthly SI/JTA.
Service Report Name and Link Purpose of the Report Use and Submission Details
PwB - Initial Month

Employer Agreement

Job/Task Analysis Report (DVR-18215-E)

The employer agreement establishes roles, responsibilities, and reimbursement terms.

Use the JTA and SI Reports to document employer training, the JTA, initial support plans, and implementation.

Submit the agreement once following completion of signed agreement.

Submit JTA Report once following completion of service. Submit SI Report within five (5) days of the end of the month or 30-day increment.
PwB – Subsequent Months

Employer Invoice

Systematic Instruction Report (DVR-18212-E)

 The employer invoice requests reimbursement for co-worker support. Use the SI Report to track ongoing support and progress, including modifications to the support plan. Submit at the end of each month or 30-day increment when the service is authorized.