VOCATIONAL EVALUATION SERVICES
The Vocational Evaluation Program provides
an assessment of an individual’s vocational ability,
interests and potential, in order to assist them in developing an
appropriate vocational direction. The program serves individuals
who have difficulty maintaining employment due to emotional,
social, physical or intellectual barriers to employment. A variety of evaluation
services are utilized to provide for the specific evaluation
needs of the client and referring agency.
Admissions Criteria:
- Must be referred by a sponsoring agency or appropriate referral
source. The majority of referrals to the Vocational Evaluation
Program come from Rehabilitation Services or through County
Social Services.
Program Description:
In order to determine an appropriate vocational goal, one
will generally first go through a vocational evaluation.
The vocational evaluation is an assessment of your vocational
abilities and interests in order to help determine an appropriate
vocational goal for you. The vocational evaluation process
usually lasts from two to six months, depending upon the
specific purpose of the referral.
During evaluation, you may participate in community-based
vocational assessments. If an evaluation is done in the community,
you will work according to their rules and regulations. The
evaluation is usually set up for a couple of weeks at each
community-based site. Although the business may serve as
a reference if you do well, there is no guarantee you will
be hired by them even if you do well.
You may also participate in a center-based vocational assessment
within Ability Building Center. If you work at ABC, you will be doing actual work supervised by an ABC
supervisor. Some of the areas you may work include: Sewing,
General Services, Custodial, or Paperless Office Solutions.
The Vocational Evaluator will observe and interpret evaluation
results from both community-based and center-based assessments
to identify interests, aptitudes, physical tolerance, work
skills, productivity, behaviors and support services needed
in order to help you determine an appropriate vocational
goal.
Additional Services Offered to Participants:
- Vocational Testing
- Referral to Appropriate Services
(ABC, Community resources, etc)
- Written documentation of evaluation results and recommendations
- Job Coaching
- Job Analysis
- Job Seeking Skills
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- Vocational Counseling
- Team Staffing and Coordination
- Advocacy
- Transportation Training
- Job Modification
- Expert Testimony
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Upon completion of the Vocational Evaluation process, a
meeting will be held with you, the referring agent, the evaluator,
and other significantly involved persons. The evaluation
results as well as further vocational planning will be discussed
during this meeting.
The outcomes of the evaluation are many and varied. Some
individuals are referred for placement
services for assisting
in obtaining competitive jobs in the community. Others may
enter a training program to assist in further developing
their vocational skills. Training programs could include
on-the-job training, vocational school or college. Others
may not be ready for these programs and may need additional
ABC programming. This may involve Work
Adjustment Training to work on changes needed to become a better program participant.
Some may be determined not feasible for vocational planning
and may be referred for other services.
Program Contact Information:
Wes Brandenburger
Program Director
Ability
Building
Center
1911 14th Street NW
PO Box 6938
Rochester, MN 55903-6938
Phone: 507-535-7103
Fax: 507-281-6270
Email: wesb@abcinc.org
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