When possible, these settings will be close to the student's home community. However, geographic restrictions are in place which will require certain students to commute some distance to their placement. In addition, some students will need to commute some distance in order to access specific kinds of settings which are not available closer to home. The field office attempts to provide opportunities which match the interests of each student. However, the availability of placements changes from year to year, so some students will need to accept placements which may not fit with their primary long-term practice interests.
Students are then responsible to schedule interviews with the three agencies.
The final placement decision is made by the mutual consent of field instructor, student, and the field office. The student may not consider a placement finalized until formal notification has been received from the field office. When this process does not result in a confirmed placement, the representative of the field office meets with the student again to explore what transpired in an effort to determine what additional steps will be taken. Planning for another placement may not begin until the next placement planning period begins.