What is the purpose of a vocational evaluation?

The function of the Vocational Evaluation in Family Law is to provide the judges, mediators and/or judicial officers and the parties involved with objective, verifiable information regarding employment issues and earning capacity for use in determining appropriate support levels. In California, vocational evaluations may be ordered by the court, requested by one party, or agreed to by both parties.

What is the role of vocational expert?

The role of the evaluator is to:

• Provide objective, verifiable employment information to the triers of fact and the parties
• Maintain objectivity throughout the vocational evaluation process, regardless of the source of the referral
• To ensure ethical treatment of the individual being evaluated
• To communicate with all parties consistent with the assigned role as expert
• Gather relevant information relevant to the person being evaluated that is necessary to complete the evaluation
• Provide for informed participation in the vocational evaluation
• Gather relevant labor market information
• Report the vocational opinions, conclusions and recommendations

What does the process involve?

To gather relevant client information necessary to complete the evaluation, the vocational expert follows a standardized process which may include:

• Diagnostic Interview
• Vocational Testing
• Review of vocational test results with client
• Other relevant information specific to the case

The process typically requires two 2.5 hour appointments. A third appointment may or may not be included, depending on the circumstances of the case.

How can I prepare for a vocational evaluation?

• Please bring information regarding your employment history (a resume if you have one) and information about your academic background.
• If you are participating in training program, bring all relevant details such as the training content, cost, times, etc.
• If you are in the job search process, bring a written record of your efforts.
• If you have a medical condition, bring any relevant information/medical reports confirming your condition to the evaluator.

What will happen at the two appointments?

At the first appointment, you will have a diagnostic interview with the vocational evaluator. You will be asked questions related to marketable skills which may include age, education, employment history, interests and values, physical and emotional conditions or limitations, transferable employment skills and abilities, and psychosocial factors, such as special needs of/or concerns about dependent children.

At the second appointment, you will finalize the assessment testing at the beginning of your appointment and then your evaluator will meet with you to review diagnostic information you provided at the first appointment to ensure accuracy and completeness. Last, the evaluator will review all data and assessments with you in the development of an individual vocational profile.

What type of vocational/assessment tests might I be taking?

We administer vocational testing instruments which are used to assess employability. In general, these instruments cannot be passed or failed, but are used to develop information about your individual vocational profile. The following information is obtained by these assessments:

• Abilities/Aptitudes (Career Ability Placement Survey/CAPS, Wide Range Achievement Test)
• Work values, Preferences and Motivations (Career Orientations Inventory)
• Interests/Personality (Strong Interest Inventory, Career Occupational Preference System/COPS, Myers Briggs Type Indicator)

What is included in the vocational evaluation report?

The Vocational Evaluation Report includes vocational opinions, conclusions and recommendations, and details information that:

• Determines client’s ability to engage in paid employment
• Identifies the factors influencing vocational outcomes
• Identifies alternative vocational objectives
• Identifies the need for retraining or education to acquire marketable skills and/or employment for each objective.
• The expert provides a description of the training and duration
• Details salary and other earning information and job availability associated with the vocational objectives
• Includes sources and methods of collection of labor market and other information
• Evaluates the client’s good faith effort to maximize self-support.
• Recommends a vocational plan, taking into consideration the goal that the supported party shall be self-supporting within a reasonable period of time
• Recommends steps to implement the vocational plan

What is included in this process and what is not?

This procedure is not a method for the diagnosis or treatment of psychological problems nor does it allow for career counseling over a period of time (i.e. job development, job placement.) However, subsequent to the marital dissolution, private career counseling and job coaching may be provided if requested and legally appropriate. The evaluator will explain using the evaluation findings and vocational plan for the client’s personal career planning.