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(July 2025-Current)
All Project SEARCH services/fees listed below require the services to be included on the consumer's Individualized Plan for Employment and receive prior written authorization by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) before services can be rendered and payment can be made. All services must comply with the service descriptions outlined for each Project SEARCH service or payment will not be made.
This fee schedule is to be used while the DVR consumer is an active Project SEARCH Intern. Parts of the fee schedule are defined by whether the Project SEARCH Intern will be a general participant using Job Placement and Development services OR a supported employment participant using Supported Employment services. If there are questions about this distinction, please consult with the DVR Statewide Project SEARCH Coordinator.
Examples:
| $1,600/month | Project SEARCH Skills Training: Payable upon completion of acceptable service, and timely monthly progress reports to DVR (within five days of the conclusion of the previous month of service). Authorized in 2-month increments. (Code 212) Student for Pre-ETS purposes Required Report: Project SEARCH Monthly Skills Training Report (DVR-18345-E) |
| $187.50/month | Project SEARCH Intern Maintenance Payment: Monthly DVR direct payment to Project SEARCH Intern during Project SEARCH rotations and signed monthly skill training report to DVR (within five business days of the conclusion of the previous month of service). Authorize all months through one Authorization, entering one month per direct payment during the timeframe of Project SEARCH rotations. This payment will end if Project SEARCH Intern exits program or gains employment. (Code 027) Required Report: Project SEARCH Monthly Skills Training Report (DVR-18345-E) with signature. |
| $500 | Project SEARCH Job Plan: Payable upon completion of acceptable meeting and plan/report to DVR (within five business days of conclusion of this service). (Code 212) Student for Pre-ETS purposes Required Report: Project SEARCH Job Development Plan (DVR-18843-E) |
| $750 | Project SEARCH Adult Intern Credit This is only paid for Project SEARCH Interns who are considered adults for the purposes of this program, meaning the Project SEARCH Intern is not connected to a high school. Code 063 Training Occupational/Vocational Training For additional information please see the UW-Milwaukee process document. |
| Up to $2,200 | Supported Employment Project SEARCH Hires: Payable upon completion of acceptable service, timely Project SEARCH skill training reports, Project SEARCH Job Plan, and hire report to DVR within 5 business days of the conclusion of the previous month of service and within 5 days of hire. Preferred Placement/Hire Outcome Payment
Hire offer for less than 16 hours per week will need DVR approval in advance. National Project SEARCH criteria for successful employment is 16 hours per week. (Code 051) Required Report: Portal User: Job Hire report - DVR Service Provider Portal |
| $1,600 | Supported Employment Systematic Instruction Monthly: Monthly rate payable if the Project SEARCH Intern is employed, upon completion of acceptable service, and timely monthly progress reports to DVR within 5 business days of the conclusion of the previous month of service. Project SEARCH Monthly Skills Training will end on the last day of the month in which the Project SEARCH Intern was hired in. Systematic Instruction Monthly will begin at the start of the following month. There will not be payments of Project SEARCH Monthly Skills Training and Monthly Systematic Instruction in the same month. This is the monthly Systematic Instruction payment for a Project SEARCH Intern needing Supported Employment services. A Project SEARCH Intern who is not a support employment participant would use hourly Systematic Instruction. Please see General Job Development Project SEARCH Hires below. Authorized in 2-month increments as needed, one month per Purchase Order line. (Code 050) Required Report: |
| $1,600 | Job Development Hire: Payable upon completion of acceptable service, timely monthly progress reports, Project SEARCH Job Development Plan, and hire report to DVR within 5 business days of the conclusion of the previous month of service and within 5 days of hire. $1,600 Hire offer for less than 16 hours per week will need DVR approval in advance. National Project SEARCH criteria for successful employment is at least 16 hours per week. (Code 024) Required Reports: General Job Development Hires Note: If Job Retention Services/payments are needed prior to the Project SEARCH Intern's graduation, please follow the Job Preparation, Development, Hire, and Retention Technical Specification. |
| $55/hour | Systematic Instruction Hourly (Not Supported Employment): Payable upon delivery of acceptable service and timely report(s) to DVR within 5 business days of the conclusion of the previous month of service. Project SEARCH Monthly Skills Training will end on the last day of the month in which the Project SEARCH Intern was hired in. Systematic Instruction Hourly will begin at the start of the following month. There will not be payments of Project SEARCH Monthly Skills Training and Hourly Systematic Instruction in the same month. Hours needed should be authorized in 2-month increments as needed. (Code 028) Required Reports: |
The services detailed in the Program SEARCH Fee Structure are intended to provide a framework for commonly used Project SEARCH services. For unique circumstances that this fee structure may not address, please consult with your local WDA Director/Supervisor and the Statewide Project SEARCH Coordinator.
After the conclusion of the Project SEARCH program, the most appropriate DVR service fee structure should be followed.
If the Project SEARCH Intern gets hired during Project SEARCH, discussions need to take place with the employer for appropriate accommodations under ADA and resource information provided.
Project SEARCH uses a braided funding model, meaning that DVR is not the only payer for this program. DVR pays a monthly fee for the Project SEARCH program as well as costs associated with job placement. The Project SEARCH program fee payment (classroom portion) is paid by the local school district, long-term care funding sources, or even private pay. Other needed costs for the program must consider use of braided funding, e.g. transportation.
Sites fund their classroom needs in numerous ways. The business, provider, school, DVR, private donations, fundraising, and grants are all options for obtaining necessary supplies and equipment to make the classroom functional. Technology equipment purchases are typically the most expensive. Classroom equipment discussions must take place in collaboration with the host business to ensure they are in line with the business policies.
DVR is required to assist DVR consumers in making choices that impact their employment goals. Project SEARCH uses a single provider and DVR consumers upon acceptance into Project SEARCH understand that they chose the provider associated with the Project SEARCH site. All Project SEARCH Interns must work with the identified Project SEARCH Service Provider throughout the entire duration of the program.
After Project SEARCH graduation, a Project SEARCH Intern has the choice to continue to work with the Project SEARCH Service Provider or may choose a different service provider for continued services to find a job.
The Project SEARCH curriculum provided by Project SEARCH National is comprehensive. Instructors should use the curriculum that is provided and developed for Project SEARCH. Instructors can make accommodations appropriately. Contracting for services to enhance the curriculum, such as Skills to Pay the Bills, is not necessary as that material is included in the curriculum.
If a laptop computer or other personal technology device is required for Project SEARCH and the Project SEARCH Intern is in high school their high school is responsible for the associated costs. If school funding is not available or delayed, DVR should be consulted and could provide funding for the needed item according to applicable fee schedules. If a Project SEARCH Intern is not in high school, the Long-Term Support agency and/or DVR, using the applicable fee schedules, can pay for the needed item.
Overview:
Each day, Project SEARCH Interns report to the host business, learn employability skills in the classroom and job skills through their internships (usually 3 internships during the year).
Project SEARCH Interns and their teams meet six times a year (roughly monthly) for Employment Planning Meetings (EPM) to continually refine their career goals and determine concrete next steps. Managers from the host business work with the instructor and skills trainer to ensure rotations are developed for skill building.
The goal upon program completion is competitive integrated employment at 16 hours or more a week. These competitive placements can take place in the community or at the host business based on the skills and experience learned through Project SEARCH.
Project SEARCH Skills Training:
The purpose of this service is to help support and enhance the Project SEARCH Intern's employability skills and to learn job tasks, organization and other skills related to retaining employment while they are a Project SEARCH Intern. National Project SEARCH best practice is a 4:1 ratio of skills trainer to Project SEARCH Intern. Project SEARCH teams will determine what ratio of skills trainers works best for that site based on Project SEARCH intern needs.
If a Project SEARCH Intern is hired during Project SEARCH and the employment meets their IPE goal, Project SEARCH Monthly Skills Training will end on the last day of the month in which the Project SEARCH Intern was hired in. SE Systematic Instruction Monthly or Systematic Instruction Hourly will begin at the start of the following month. There will not be payments of Project SEARCH Monthly Skills Training and Systematic Instruction (monthly or hourly) in the same month.
Please note that based on a Project SEARCH Intern's hire or graduation date the Project SEARCH Skills Training payment may not be provided as the Project SEARCH Intern needs to be engaged in learning in the training room or on rotation for this support to be authorized and paid. For example: If graduation is on June 5th and the Project SEARCH Interns ended rotations the week prior, there would not be a June Project SEARCH Skills Training Payment.
Project SEARCH Intern Maintenance Payment:
The payment is meant to assist Project SEARCH Interns with maintenance and personal costs during the rotation portion of Project SEARCH. This payment is not meant to cover items like transportation and uniforms needed for the Project SEARCH program. When necessary, DVR and other funding sources should continue to assist with paying for Project SEARCH transportation and uniform costs. The Project SEARCH Intern Maintenance payment will end if the Project SEARCH Intern exits program or gains employment.
Project SEARCH Job Plan:
The purpose is to pull together information learned about the Project SEARCH Intern while in Project SEARCH. The report should identify the Project SEARCH Intern's career goal, the types of jobs that will be sought, and what level of support may be needed. The job goal identified in the job development plan will align with their IPE long-term goal. Resume and Job Center of Wisconsin registration to be submitted along with report. This service occurs with the Project SEARCH provider two to three months prior to Project SEARCH graduation.
Job Hire:
Goal of Project SEARCH is permanent employment in the community. The Project SEARCH Intern will end their rotation once hired and employment starts. The Project SEARCH Job Hire should be in alignment with the DVR Plan for Employment for that consumer. Consultation with the Project SEARCH Intern's team which includes DVR, long-term supports/mental health supports, Project SEARCH instructor and skills trainer should take place to discuss the hire offer.
Hire offer for less than 16 hours per week will need DVR approval in advance. National Project SEARCH criteria for successful employment is at least 16 hours per week.
Supported Employment (SE) Systematic Instruction Monthly or Systematic Instruction Hourly:
If a Project SEARCH Intern is hired during the program, either the SE Systematic Instruction Monthly or Systematic Instruction Hourly service will be used to support the person on the job. The service used depends on whether the person is a supported employment participant or general participant.
Once a Project SEARCH Intern is hired Project SEARCH Monthly Skills Training will end on the last day of the month in which the Project SEARCH Intern was hired in. SE Systematic Instruction Monthly or Systematic Instruction Hourly will begin at the start of the following month. There will not be payments of Project SEARCH Monthly Skills Training and Systematic Instruction (monthly or hourly) in the same month.
Project SEARCH Adult Intern Credit:
This service is for adult Project SEARCH Interns coming into the Project SEARCH program. DVR pays the current UW-Milwaukee fee for continuing education credits. Project SEARCH Interns will receive 70 continuing education credits for the year. Please see UW-Milwaukee process document for dates and timeline.
There is an associated program fee for participation in Project SEARCH. This cost is associated with the training room portion of Project SEARCH and the agency responsible for hiring the instructor.
If a Project SEARCH Intern is in high school, the high school pays this cost.
If the Project SEARCH Intern is not in high school, the Long-Term Care agency or private payers are responsible for the cost.
The educational partner sets the fee for this portion of the program. The educational partner along with the team will determine if the Project SEARCH Intern continues in the training room once hired.
National Project SEARCH identifies a ratio for participants to skill trainers as 4:1. Wisconsin will work with providers to adhere to National Project SEARCH Model while providing quality service to our interns. If the 4:1 ratio is not feasible or there are other issues, please consult with the Project SEARCH statewide coordinator.
Transportation needs, plans and resources should be included in the application process for Project SEARCH. Project SEARCH Interns participating in Project SEARCH are expected to learn how to independently commute to work, as this skill will be needed after the Project SEARCH Intern completes the program and is working in integrated employment.
Transportation solutions should be individualized for each Project SEARCH Intern. Wherever public transportation is available, Project SEARCH Interns should take advantage of this resource. It is essential that the Project SEARCH team works toward the most cost-effective solution for transportation for each Project SEARCH Intern. If the cost of transportation exceeds the cost of the program, participation in Project SEARCH could be prohibitive. Please consult with all team members and funding sources before acceptance into the program.
If the Project SEARCH Intern is not able to find transportation independently:
Rotation Externship: Transportation for a Project SEARCH Intern at an off-site location needs to be discussed with the intern and their Project SEARCH team.
For work materials the host business does not provide but requires, DVR may assist with purchasing. Work materials need to be in a Project SEARCH Intern’s DVR Plan and formally authorized by DVR before items can be purchased.
DWD Contact Information
201 E. Washington Ave
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266-3131
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