The Self-Assessment Index is designed for welfare-to-work participants screening.  However, a vocational rehabilitation version called the Self-Assessment Index c was developed.  Version "c" involves a reworded test booklet and report that replaces "welfare recipient" with "client" and "welfare-to-work" with "vocational rehabilitation."  The lower case letter "c" in the tests name symbolizes the word "client."  This revised "c" version is discussed on BDS's website.  To read about the Self-Assessment Index c click on this Version c link. 

The Self-Assessment Index is designed specifically for welfare-to-work participant screening.  The history of welfare-to-work programs influenced the design of the Self-Assessment Index.  The Personal Responsibilities and Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act and the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) statutes changed the way federal government provides assistance to welfare-to-work families.  TANF was established in 1996.  One of TANF's requirements is that welfare recipients are required to engage in gainful employment from once the assistance is received for twenty-four (24) months.  This TANF requirement emphasizes the need for early welfare recipient screening (assessment or testing) to identify barriers to employment so that these obstacles can be reduced.

And that is what the Self-Assessment Index does.  The Self-Assessment Index identifies barriers to employment and simultaneously determines the "severity" of identified barriers so that staff can match problem (barrier) "severity" with treatment "intensity."  An important factor in treatment effectiveness is properly matching problem severity and treatment program intensity.

Self-Assessment Index

The Self-Assessment Index screens welfare recipients barriers to employment.  This is done early in welfare-to-work program involvement (intake) so that any identified employment barriers can be treated, resolved, or worked through.  The Self-Assessment Index consists of 103 items and takes 20 minutes to complete.  The Self-Assessment Index has 5 scales (measures).

1. Truthfulness Scale: measures how open and truthful the client was while completing the Self-Assessment Index.  In addition to truthfulness this scale measures the presence of negative attitudes like denial, guardedness, problem minimization and attempts to "fake good."  Open, guileless, and sincere communication is important in employment interviews as well as with supervisors and fellow employees.  If sustained employment is the goal, honest, candid, and plain speaking is important for positive employee relationships.

2. Alcohol Scale: when alcohol-related problems are identified their severity of use is important when matching appropriate intervention or treatment programs.  Interventions may range from educational classes, AA meetings, awareness groups, etc.  Treatment programs also vary from outpatient groups, individual counseling, substance abuse programs, and intensive outpatient to inpatient treatment.  Matching problem "severity" with appropriate treatment "intensity" is important for treatment effectiveness.

3.  Drugs Scale: measures "other drug" abuse.  Drugs refer to marijuana, ice, crack, cocaine, ecstasy, amphetamines, barbiturates, heroin, etc.  Here again severity of abuse is important.  Treatment options vary widely from education classes, sensitivity groups, NA and CA meetings, outpatient groups, individual counseling, chemical dependency program, intensive outpatient and inpatient treatment.  Treatment effectiveness is influenced by the matching of problem severity and treatment intensity.

4. Work Index Scale: many experienced therapists believe that negativistic attitudes and motivation must change before related behavioral changes can occur.  Learning how to positively prioritize paying bills, child care, work clothes, transportation, valuing a job, completing counseling or treatment, peer group opinions, family judgments, etc. is difficult.  The Work Index Scale samples many of these covert influences.  Client motivation is where the Work Index Scale begins.

5. Stress Coping Abilities: measures how well the client handles or manages stress and pressure.  Poor stress coping is a common rehabilitation lapse trigger.  Stress management often involves lifestyle adjustment which can be difficult when somebody is "just scraping by."  Lifestyle adjustment involves prioritizing and adjustment of many of the attitudes discussed in item 4 above.  And substance abuse problems exacerbate other problems.  A very high Stress Coping Abilities Scale score (90^th percentile and above) indicates the presence of an established emotional or mental health problem.

The 5 Self-Assessment Index scales (measures) provide a comprehensive and meaningful employment barriers screening.  Early problem identification can lead to prompt intervention or treatment which can result in successful welfare-to-work transitions.

Links   to   Self-Assessment  Index   Topics   at www.bdsltd.com

The Self-Assessment Index is designed for welfare-to-work participant screening to identify barriers to employment that might exist.  Early problem (barriers to employment) identification facilitates intervention or treatment referral which should increase vocational placement success.

Interested in more testing websites? If so, click on this Testing Websites link.

Behavior Data Systems, Ltd.

P.O. Box 44256

Phoenix , Arizona 85064-4256

Telephone: (602) 234-3506

Fax: (602) 266-8227

Email: skarca@bdsltd.com

*  *  *