7.1 Introduction

When determining the initial placement for W-2 Wisconsin Works applicants, FEP Financial and Employment Planner s must use all information gathered from the:

Informal assessment (see 5.2 );

Educational Needs Assessment Educational needs assessments determine if the individual needs, or would benefit from, education or training activities, including a course of study for the granting of a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation. In making this determination, the FEP must consider the following: • The information gathered on the applicant/participant’s current educational levels; • The level of education and training necessary to obtain full-time employment in the local labor market; and • The applicant/participant’s personal employment goals. (see 5.3 );

Any Career Assessment A broad spectrum of assessment tools that W-2 agencies, applicants, and participants use to obtain greater awareness about how an individual’s work styles, skills, and interests can be used to define a career path, assign meaningful activities, highlight strengths, identify training needs, and match the individual to employment opportunities results that identify work styles, skills, and interests (see 5.4 );

Progress made in up-front job search, if assigned (see 2.9.2 ); and

Results of any other Vocational Evaluation/Assessment Assessments which are conducted to help individuals living with a disability establish realistic vocational goals and a plan to achieve them. The vocational evaluation process is designed to assess the unique strengths, resources, and experiences of an individual in order to match that person’s abilities and preferences to appropriate work placements, jobs, or training programs. The process is interactive; the intent is for staff to learn about the participant and the participant to learn about themselves or formal assessments (see 5.1.1 ).

When making initial placements, FEPs must also:

Discuss and review all factors informing placement decision with the applicant;

Never delay placement because a formal assessment is pending (see 5.1.1.2 ); and

Document the reasons for the placement decision in PIN comments.

FEPs must provide ongoing case management including periodic reassessment of an individual’s current placement as circumstances change.

Participants must be placed at the highest level of participation possible.

This chapter outlines the W-2 program placements and their eligibility criteria, participation requirements, time limits, and W-2 services available.

Some placements are specifically for applicants and others are specifically for ongoing participants. The table below provides a brief description of the W-2 placement types.

Placement Types Description TEMP Trial Employment Match Program , CSJ Community Service Job , Prorated CSJ Community Service Job , W-2 T W-2 Transition Placements that provide work experience and training for individuals who have barriers to unsubsidized employment. CMC Custodial Parent of an Infant , ARP At Risk Pregnancy , CMP Case Management Pregnant Women , CMM Case Management Minor Parents Case management placements that acknowledge life circumstances (caring for a newborn, pregnancy, minor parents, etc.) and provide relevant employment supports and W-2 services. CMU Case Management Underemployed , CMF Case Management Follow-Up , CMF+ Case Management Follow-Up Plus , CMJ Case Management Job Ready , CMD Case Management Denied Case management placements related to unsubsidized employment, including follow-up and post-employment services for participants transitioning out of a paid placement. CMN Case Management Noncustodial Parent , TSP Stipends for Noncustodial Parents Noncustodial parent-specific placements.