Walgreens REDI

The Walgreens Retail Employees with Disabilities Initiative (REDI) is a structured, in-store retail training program designed to help individuals with disabilities develop competitive retail and customer service skills.

Implemented in Wisconsin in 2012, this program is completed within four weeks and takes place at participating Walgreens store locations. Participants (REDI externs) receive a temporary work experience wage during the 4-week training period ($10.00/hour minimum or the local commensurate wage for the Customer Service Associate position).

Walgreens REDI services are provided in working alliance with many partners (DVR, the Service Provider, the DVR consumer, and Walgreens store management). The services and processes outlined below have been designed to ensure appropriate referrals and adequate support for DVR consumers.

Summary of Services Table

Service Delivery Expectations

• A DVR Authorization for Services is required before any services can begin.
• Services are delivered in partnership with DVR, the Service Provider, Walgreens store management, and the consumer.
• No job carving is permitted. Consumers must meet or exceed all Walgreens requirements.
• Service Providers who are interested in providing this service must contact their local WDA Director. The WDA Director will then contact DVR Program Development staff to ensure there is no overlap in services in the local area. The Service Provider must submit a REDI Skills Assessment draft for DVR review/approval prior to being approved to provide REDI Services. A statewide Service Provider may also be eligible to receive payments for Job Development Hire and Retention services.

REDI Skills Assessment

Service Overview

The REDI Skills Assessment determines whether a consumer meets Walgreens' established criteria prior for acceptance into the REDI program. This assessment ensures candidates are prepared to meet the physical, behavioral, and functional requirements of the retail training environment. The assessment should be completed within a one-week timeframe.

Service Components

The assessment may take different approaches, as long as it evaluates the following required areas:

• Soft Skills & Work Readiness
  • Attitude, motivation, and willingness to work.
  • Attendance and punctuality. This may be assessed through observation during the screening process.
  • Workplace professionalism and appropriate behavior/manners.
  • Steady, calm, and focused demeanor.
  • Customer service personality fit.
• Physical Requirements
  • Bending, twisting, reaching.
  • Lifting 25 to 35 pounds.
  • Squatting, standing for 6 to 8 hours.
  • Climbing a ladder and reaching overhead.
• Functional Skills
  • Reading and math skills (typically 5th grade level; calculator permitted for math skills verification).
  • Cash handling (counting back correct change using the least number of coins).
• Additional Eligibility Factors
  • Ability to successfully complete a drug screening.
  • Criminal background review (theft history is disqualifying per Walgreens policy).
  • Good residual vision.
  • Prior retail experience (helpful but not required).
• Assessment methods may include:
  • Standardized or formal testing.
  • Skill inventories.
  • Situational discussions (cash handling/customer service scenarios).
  • Observational screening in a retail setting.
• There is no job carving permitted within the REDI program. Consumers must meet or exceed all Walgreens requirements to be considered.

Documentation/Reporting Expectations

• Required documentation for this service must be completed using the REDI Skills Assessment Report (DVR-18042-E) or an approved equivalent.
• Requests to use an alternate reporting template must be submitted to DVR for approval and must include all required elements in the same sequence as the DVR template.
• Reports are due within five (5) business days of completion of authorized sessions.

REDI Job Instruction

Service Overview

REDI Job Instruction provides structured, on-site retail training and soft skills development during the four-week REDI cohort at a participating Walgreens location. Services are delivered by paid Service Provider staff to support skill development within a competitive retail environment.

The standard model is full-time participation for four weeks. Part-time participation (eight weeks accumulating equivalent hours) may be approved only for disability-related reasons and must be approved by Walgreens store management.

A Job and Task Analysis is not required for this service.

Service Components

• Weekly Structure:
  • Four (4) days of on-site job instruction.
  • One (1) day of off-site soft skills instruction.
• Skill Development Areas - Consumers are expected to learn, receive job instruction, and perform the following skills:
  • Operate a cash register (calculator permitted to verify correct change).
  • Stock and organize (face) shelves.
  • Replace price tags and product descriptions.
  • Receive products from warehouse shipments.
  • Merchandise displays (tables, end stands, department setup).
  • Provide exemplary customer service.
  • Utilize interpersonal and social skills appropriate for retail settings.
• Workplace Expectations - Participants may also be expected to:
  • Perform varied tasks ("jack-of-all trades" role expectations).
  • Transition between responsibilities as store needs change.
  • Multi-task (e.g., assist customers while answering phones).
  • Tolerate interruptions in workflow.
  • Lift medium-sized boxes and climb ladders.
  • Walk and stand for most of the workday.

Documentation/Reporting Expectations

• Required documentation for this service must be completed using the REDI Job Instruction Report (DVR-18043-E) or an approved equivalent.
• Requests to use an alternate reporting template must be submitted to DVR for approval and must include all required elements in the same sequence as the DVR template.
• Reports are due within five (5) business days of completion of authorized sessions.

• REDI Job Instruction Report (DVR-18043-E)
• REDI Skills Assessment Report (DVR-18042-E)
• Shared Roles and Responsibilities in DVR Services