The length of service varies, but the average duration is six months. Clients primarily receive job training services, including aptitude testing, skills evaluation, job counseling, and direct job placement services. According to public hearing testimony on the subject, services also include helping individuals emotionally acclimate to the fact that they need to change occupations. Because of their injury, some clients lose jobs that they held for decades. To be eligible for services, clients must have a permanent injury that is compensable under the workers' compensation law.
Participation is voluntary and services are provided at no cost to the client.
The services are available to workers who have a permanent disability and show the potential to obtain employment after program completion, even when they settle their claim. Those accepted for training may be eligible for financial benefits including tuition, fees, books, supplies, training equipment, and travel reimbursement. They may be eligible for a subsistence allowance for basic living expenses equal to a certain percentage of their workers' compensation benefits if their workers' compensation benefits have ended and they are participating in at least 25 hours of instruction or taking at least 12 credit hours of college-level courses. Counselors determine eligibility based on workers' compensation case records, medical reports, aptitude test results, personal interviews, work and personal histories, and any other available information bearing on eligibility and ability to profit from the division's services. Once a client is determined to be eligible and a rehabilitation program is worked out, the program is embodied in a contract signed by the client, the counselor, and the chairman or his designee.