Student Work-Based Learning

About

Student Work Based Learning Services are a set of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) to be used for students with a disability in high school or a post-secondary education training program, aged 14-21. Skills gained through these experiences are meant to help with future job goal identification and attainment as the student ages. The experiences are not intended to be the student's final IPE goal.

If a student has decided that their current IPE job goal will be used as their long-term goal for case closure, services should transition from Pre-ETS to adult services, including the use of Supported Employment, to help the consumer maintain permanent competitive integrated employment. Because individual circumstances are often unique, it is critical to consult with the consumer's employment team and DVR colleagues.

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

Student Work Based Readiness Plan

This service includes identifying types of jobs that may interest the student, introducing the student to the job search process, and working on basic job preparation skills.

As part of this service, the provider should create a sample job application to assist the student in preparing for a job search. The service provider is required to generate a list of references for the student to use as a template when applying for jobs. Developing a resume and cover letter is optional depending on the specific needs of the consumer (at the direction of DVR). At a minimum, resume development should be discussed with the student and resources on how to develop and post a resume should be provided.

The Student Work Based Readiness Plan service also includes providing opportunities for interview practice and sharing job interview expectations, as well as identifying and developing strategies to address barriers to employment.

Note: Barriers to employment should already be identified in documentation provided by DVR staff from the comprehensive assessment and other formal assessments and information.

Referrals for this service can include a meeting or communication by phone or email with the provider and student to introduce all parties, review existing information, coordinate work-based readiness plan activities, and schedule dates for future meetings if needed.

A final meeting in-person or by phone or virtually between the service provider, student, and DVR is required to review the completed plan. The service is not complete until all parties agree with the plan.

Student Work Based Learning Experience Development

This service involves the service provider and student working together on a regular basis to identify and apply for jobs. Activities for this service should include:

• Both the student and service provider making contacts with potential employers based on the student's needs
• The service provider assisting the student with completing job applications, modifying the student's resume as needed, and preparing for interviews
• Contact between the student and service provider in person, virtually, by phone or email, not less than two times per month
• The service provider working cooperatively with their local DVR Business Services Consultant to maximize potential job leads and relationships with local businesses

The Student Readiness Plan is reviewed and updated every 90 days in a meeting with DVR staff, the service provider, and the student (in person, by phone or virtually), but any party can request more frequent reviews as needed.

Service Providers are required to provide the start date of employment and the hourly wage rate documentation to DVR before receiving a payment for retention or transition to long term support.

Student Work-Based Learning Retention Services

All consumers receiving any job development service shall be provided with job supports appropriate for the consumer need for at least the first 90 days on the job. Retention services can be used to foster positive workplace relationships with coworkers and supervision, potentially leading to the development of independent and natural supports in the workplace as available and appropriate. The provider should work with the consumer to help with situational problem solving and communication. The provider should ensure the consumer knows how to seek and get information at the worksite. The provider should have regular check-ins with the consumer and the employer as detailed in the Hire Report and Job Retention Report, respectively, so that job retention, stability and progress can be monitored in the first months of a job.

The provider must:

• Communicate directly with the consumer via phone, email correspondence, or meeting in-person/virtual, not less than twice per month. Providers should identify if texting is used in lieu of a direct contact, or if there is a gap in the communication during the month and explain why regular contact was not completed. (Vacation, client request etc.) Topics that should be discussed include:
• Attendance, wage, and scheduling
• Training and progress
• Problems at work and related problem-solving strategies
• Any issues identified
• Provide other supports as detailed in the job supports plan section of the Hire report updated at the time of hire
• Contact the employer with permission and input from the consumer and include how often employer contact will occur, and plan to visit the workplace and include discussion on the following:
• Role of provider and DVR
• Share ideas to promote independence and encourage quality job performance including consumer specific information – helpful support, communication, and learning style
• Identify what steps to take if issues arise with consumer progress
• Contact for provider and backup plan if provider cannot be reached

Upon an offer of employment, DVR should be notified as soon as possible (within 5 days) to review the job to ensure that the potential position meets the job goal and to authorize Job/Task Analysis and Monthly Systematic Instruction or supports via Partners with Business, if necessary. DVR must be consulted if a change in the type of support is identified and agree to authorize alternate support services.

In certain pre-approved circumstances, offsite supports may need to be provided. These types of support requirements must be detailed in the job support plan, including parameters for contact, and must be based on the consumer's disability needs or unique work environment. For example, a consumer's employer may not allow an instructor onsite, or the consumer does not wish to have job supports in the workplace. In these cases, direct contact with the consumer must be included in the job supports plan and the employer (if approved by the consumer). Phone calls, check-in meetings in the community, emails, etc. may be used as 'offsite' support. Offsite support requests will be considered and approved by DVR on a case-by-case basis and agreement must be documented in the DVR case file.

Link to Report

Hourly Systematic Instruction

In cases where a consumer required supports beyond the scope of those listed above, Hourly systematic instruction can be authorized. Systematic Instruction includes planning and implementing individualized instruction for a job. The steps include using the Job and Task Analysis to identify the work routine and identifying instructional strategies and how the consumer will be supported and taught to complete their job tasks independently. Progress is monitored and strategies are modified using a step-by-step, or systematic, approach including positive and constructive communication with the consumer.

Partners with Business (click on link for more information)
Partners with Business (PwB) is a strategy for providing on the job support using a consumer's co-workers instead of a 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 Supports.

NOTE: Other Supports
If a consumer needs other types of support that fall outside of the soft or hard job skills described, the transition/student supports team or DVR should be consulted, and a plan to provide those supports should be developed. Services such as transportation training, personal attendant services are not part of Systematic Instruction. If a consumer requires another person to be present at the request of an employer or for the purposes of an established behavioral support plan, civil commitment or for safety, the transition/student supports team or DVR should be notified to discuss the appropriateness of the job placement, next steps or to develop plans for supports.

Fee Schedule

Student Work Based Learning - Fee Schedule

$600	Student Work Based Readiness Plan: Payable upon delivery of an acceptable service and report to DVR within five (5) business days of the conclusion of the last contact with the consumer. Completion of service and required report not to exceed 45 days from issue of service authorization. (Code 208)
$1,500	Student Work Based Learning Experience Development: Payable upon completion of acceptable service, timely monthly progress reports, 90-day plan review/update meetings, and Student Learning Experience Report to DVR within five (5) business days of the conclusion of the final month of service and within 5 days of hire. Initiation of ongoing service not to exceed 30 days from issue of service authorization. (Code 208)
$500 per month in months 1, 2, and 3	Student Work Based Learning Retention Services: Payable upon completion of acceptable service and timely monthly progress reports to DVR within five (5) business days of the 30th, 60th, and 90th calendar day of job retention, or as determined by DVR on a case-by-case basis. Initiation of ongoing service and report not to exceed 30 days from issue of service authorization. (Code 208)

Service Notes

Payment for Student Work Based Learning Experience Development is available to the provider when a job offer has been made and a start date has been determined. DVR must agree to the work experience and a Job Hire and Retention report must be submitted before payment.

If a student's position ends before completing a 30-day period, DVR will review the circumstances to confirm the services were adequate and the position ended despite those services or due to circumstances outside of the provider's control. If so, the provider can bill for that portion of retention services.

If a student is hired from an I/TW, the Student Work Based Learning technical specifications would be used starting with the Work Based Learning Experience Development service.

Required Reporting Templates

Resources

• Competitive Integrated Employment Guidance
• DVR Business Services
• Job Center of Wisconsin
• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction STEM
• Wisconsin STEM Apprenticeship Program
• Role and Responsibilities
• Transportation Plan
• Wage Document Requirements
• 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.