Using standard rehabilitation industry techniques, staff members assess the skills, vocational interests, and needs of the trainees—or those individuals enrolled in the program. This assessment ensures that trainees will be placed in the appropriate training track and receive any needed or desired specialized training.

The assessment is the foundation of each trainee's Individual Self-Reliance Plan (ISRP), a document which lists career goals and the resources needed to attain such goals. Within 30 days of the trainees' start date, they and their assigned rehabilitation team member work together to create an ISRP. The rehabilitation team member conducts a quarterly review of each trainee's ISRP to ensure progress and modify training plans.