DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES


Foster Assessment Center & Testing Service (FACTS) specializes in vocational evaluation services. Our evaluation services include:

       - Work Evaluation (5 to 10 days)

       - Situational Assessment (in-house 5 days)

       - Transition Partnership Program - TPP Work Evaluation (3 to 5 days)

       - Transferable Skills Analysis (computerized -1 day)

Each of our Southern California work evaluation centers provides a simulated work environment for individuals. Hands-on work samples supplement psychometric instruments in assisting to define skills.  Work samples are a valuable tool when assessing individuals having below average language skills or to assist in performing task simulation.

Vocational Evaluators objectively measure such areas as:
       - mental aptitudes        

       - work skills
       - vocational interests  

       - aptitudes
       - transferable skills     

       - stamina/endurance
       - academic levels       

       - physical tolerances
       - worker traits

Computerized Transferable Skills Analysis (TSA) can take relevant past work history (if present) and test results that determine present skills and aptitudes to search the entire career database to find potential job matches for individuals. These TSA reports will contain Directory of Occupational Titles (DOT) and Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) information as well as state and county labor market information and training sites by county for each DOT title chosen.

Bilingual services are provided in English or Spanish and all our centers are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

Reports documenting the results and conclusions of the evaluation are provided in a timely fashion at the conclusion of any referral within five business days of evaluation completion. Exit (staffing) conferences between the individual, counselor, and the vocational evaluator are also available and are recommended for most cases.

Scheduling of an individual for an evaluation can typically be accommodated within five business days. Most evaluations are scheduled to begin on Mondays.

 

 

 

VOCATIONAL EVALUATION SERVICE DESCRIPTION

 

 

VOCATIONAL EVALUATION

 

The most comprehensive type of referral Foster Assessment Center & Testing Service, Inc. (FACTS) receives is a ten-day comprehensive vocational/work evaluation. This work evaluation typically assesses a consumer's demonstrated physical tolerances, stamina, endurance, work readiness, worker traits, work behaviors, cognitive abilities, general learning ability, academic levels, educational levels, aptitudes, and vocational interests. Additionally, competitive employment versus supported employment will be addressed, as well as best learning mode for the consumer (on-the-job training versus formalized classroom training).

 

Vocational or work evaluation typically includes vocational exploration to identify possible vocational alternatives or directions that are conducive to the skills and aptitudes within the consumer's demonstrated physical tolerance levels. In the report and at the exit conference, you should receive information on what types of occupations the consumer is interested in, how well the consumer would be expected to perform in each of these occupations, if any reasonable accommodations would be recommended, and physically if the job can be sustained over a period of time.

 

Five Day vs. Ten Day Evaluation

 

For consumers for which feasibility of employment is a concern, the ten-day evaluation offers a more comprehensive view of physical tolerances, stamina and endurance, work readiness, and ability to work at full-time competitive employment.

 

Situational Assessments

 

Within the context of a work evaluation, FACTS offers situational assessments (in-house) at our facilities, which generally simulate the physical and skill demands of the work setting you are considering for your consumer. We perform a number of diverse situational assessments, including bookkeeper, office secretary, dental technician, cashier, general office clerk, nursing assistant, etc. Feel free to choose any job currently available in the consumer's chosen geographic area, and we may be able to coordinate a situational assessment within the context of a five-to-ten day work evaluation. Situational assessments accurately determine if the consumer has the work behaviors, physical capabilities, physical tolerances and stamina to perform the proposed work. Learning style, cognitive capability, planning and organizational skills, as well as use and tolerance of any proposed job modifications or adaptive aids are covered. This type of assessment can be performed prior to a situational assessment at an employer's site.

 

Exit Conferences

 

With any of the evaluation services that we offer, a free exit conference is highly recommended. Soon after the evaluation is completed, the exit conference allows the consumer, rehabilitation counselor and evaluator to review together all the test results, report, and agree upon recommendations for any further services. This is a highly effective tool to make sure that the rehabilitation counselor's questions regarding the consumer's work abilities have been answered.

 

 

SPECIAL POPULATIONS

 

Visually Impaired

Although FACTS is not equipped to serve totally blind consumers, many visually impaired are referred to work evaluation. FACTS offers many hands-on work samples and enlarged test formats for the visually impaired. Further, the analysis of these visually impaired consumers to adapt to a simulated work environment is quite helpful in the analysis of their work potential. Special tools like CCTVs for enlarging print, and special computer software designed for the visually impaired, are available at most FACTS centers.

 

Deaf

 

FACTS provides full work evaluation services for deaf consumers. Although a sign interpreter can be sent for several days of the evaluation, it is generally no longer necessary. FACTS' centers are increasingly utilizing a video interpreting program which allows us to access an interpreter through the internet at our evaluation centers. This technology utilizes a web camera with special video conferencing software to allow us to access a sign language interpreter during strategic times of the evaluation thus negating the need to have a sign language interpreter present throughout the evaluation.

 

Youth

 

Transitional Partnership Proficiency (TPP) for Youth

 

High school students participating in the Transitional Partnership Program can participate in a customized three-to-five day vocational evaluation that assists the student with the transition from high school to the world of work. High school students that are participating in the work evaluation spend three to five days in the evaluation (Saturday dates are available). The student participates in a "simulated work environment" during the course of the evaluation. Their responsibility for being able to fully participate and follow work rules is evaluated. The evaluation assesses their skills and abilities, academic levels, aptitudes, vocational interests, and physical ability to work. This vocational evaluation helps determine their ability to be successful in college, vocational schools, and/or employment. Further, recommendations for any needed reasonable accommodations and employment goals are determined.

 

Exit Conferences are highly recommended because they allows the students and their parents to be able to meet with the Transition Specialist, rehabilitation counselor and the vocational evaluator to review the results. Exit conferences are beneficial for many parents to review an objective report so they can compare where their children are in relation to their perceived abilities.

 

The work evaluations are generally performed at a FACTS center; however, accommodations can be made for an on-site testing if transportation is an issue. The evaluations are best performed in a group setting of their peers. The vocational evaluator is available to make orientation presentations at the high school, either at a parent/student assembly or in the classroom. This will provide the parents/students with in-depth information regarding the purpose of the work evaluation, the testing process, and questions can be addressed at this time.

 

The TPP rehabilitation counselor benefits from this customized vocational evaluation by having an objective evaluation and report to help them allocate proper funding for the students' needs. Further, it enables the TPP rehabilitation counselor to view the demonstrated abilities of the student so that the appropriateness of employment and educational goals as well as the appropriateness of funding can be determined. Further, the analysis of the students' worker traits, motivation, participation, punctuality, skills, and aptitudes allow the rehabilitation counselor to determine the students' potential for success in school and employment.

 

GRAPHIC DEPICTIONS

 

Listed below are examples of our graphic depictions, which are included in our reports. These graphs make it much easier for you to analyze your consumer's participation patterns, physical tolerances and academic abilities.

 

        

                      

                   

 

         

 

 

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

 

QUESTION: What is a Work Evaluation?

 

A. Work Evaluation is a diagnostic tool that, when properly utilized, can assess an individual's:

      a. Physical functionality (tolerances, stamina, and endurance)

      b. Current level of skills and aptitudes

      c. Vocational interests

      d. Worker traits and vocational personality

 

QUESTION: When is a Work Evaluation needed?

 

ANSWERS: If after the initial interview between the counselor and the consumer, any of the following questions remain unanswered, it is advisable to schedule a work evaluation:

      a. Can the consumer work in the competitive labor market?

      b. What physical activities can the consumer perform?

      c. What skills, aptitudes, cognitive processing abilities, or interests does the consumer have?

      d. What transferable skills does the consumer have?

      e. How does the consumer's usable skills relate to the current job market?

 

QUESTION: What is the potential outcome of a Work Evaluation?

 

ANSWERS: In general, most evaluations determine whether the consumer's physical functioning is or is not reflective of the capability of returning to work at the present time.

 

     a. The consumer's ability to benefit from competitive employment versus supported employment will be documented.

      b. Specific vocational alternatives can be addressed in terms of aptitudinal potentiality as well as physical abilities.

      c. The consumer's ability to profit from on-the-job training, direct placement, or formalized classroom training will be addressed.

      d. In cases where the consumer did not demonstrate the ability to sustain participation in the simulated workday, documentation is provided for suspension or termination.

      e. Worker traits which would affect employability (such as grooming, hygiene, motivation, work values, work-attitude and work pace) are addressed in the report.

     f. Identification of reasonable accommodations that would assist the consumer sustain employment.