State of the Science: NCRE Fall Conference 2018
The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on VR Practices and Youth partnered with the National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE) to offer a unique set of State of the Science sessions related to delivering quality VR services to youth during the 2018 NCRE Fall Conference. RRTC partners and experts from several technical assistance centers conducted sessions that addressed key challenges and suggested useful strategies for VR practitioners and educators. Themes include staff competencies needed to providing service to youth and young adults, using evidence to improve VR practices, and the VR role in inclusive higher education. The RRTC extends a special thanks to NCRE and it’s membership for a productive partnership and for the opportunity to present on our research findings and practices.
Inclusive Higher Education and Vocational Rehabilitation: New Partnerships Leading to Positive Outcomes
Abstract
Students with intellectual disability are increasingly accessing higher education on their pathway to employment, and Vocational Rehabilitation is a critical partner in these efforts. This session, part of the RRTC on VR and Youth Strand, will provide an overview of the current level of access to higher education in the US for students with intellectual disability and autism as well as recent data from federally funded model demonstration projects reflecting employment activities and outcomes, and collaborative activities with VR. Study findings as well as emerging promising collaborative practices will be highlighted as we engage in a dialogue with attendees.
Presenters
- Russ Thelin, M.S., LVRC, CRC, Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston
- Debra Hart, M.S., Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston
Intended Audience
- Agency Training Officers
- Practitioners
Session Materials
- Inclusive Higher Education and Vocational Rehabilitation: New Partnerships Leading to Positive Outcomes PowerPoint Presentation
- Inclusive Higher Education and Vocational Rehabilitation: New Partnerships Leading to Positive Outcomes Presentation PDF
- Inclusive Higher Education and Vocational Rehabilitation: New Partnerships Leading to Positive Outcomes Text Only PDF
Promoting Youth Transition: Increasing Timely Access to Service
Abstract
For students with disabilities, the prospects for exiting school with employment and/or a clear career path are increased when the transition is seamless, that is, when there is no interruption of service and support. This ideal is more likely when there is timely access to services before, during and after the point of exit from school. Indeed, collaboration between schools, vocational rehabilitation, and other funding and service entities is critical both for seamless transition and for later services to out-of-school youth. This session will present relevant research findings that suggest how and under what conditions seamless transition occurs. It will also discuss the implications for vocational rehabilitation practice and for vocational rehabilitation counselor education and professional development.
Presenters
- Richard Luecking, Ed.D., University of Maryland
- Ellen Fabian, Ph.D., CRC, University of Maryland
- Todd Honeycutt, Ph.D., Mathematica Policy Research
- Randy Loss, MA, CRC, OWDS, GCDF, VR Youth Technical Assistance Center
Intended Audience
- Practitioners
- University Educators
Session Materials
Promoting Youth Transition: Information and Awareness of Best Practices in Transition
Abstract
This panel session will describe the results of quantitative and qualitative studies conducted under the auspices of the RRTC on Vocational Rehabilitation on Youth Transition related to the perceptions and information needs of vocational rehabilitation and related personnel involved in youth transition services. Focusing primarily on the skills and practices of transition-related personnel who implement required elements of WIOA, such as pre-employment transition services, the panelists will offer recommendations and strategies for building capacity in the delivery of transition services within state vocational rehabilitation agencies and secondary transition programs in schools and in the community. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in interactive discussion with the panelists from the RRTC as well as other related organizations.
Presenters
- Ellen Fabian, Ph.D., CRC, University of Maryland
- Michael Stoehr, M.S.Ed. National Technical Assistance Center on Transition
Intended Audience
- Agency Training Officers
- Practitioners
Session Materials
- Promoting Youth Transition: Information and Awareness of Best Practices in Transition PowerPoint Presentation
- Promoting Youth Transition: Information and Awareness of Best Practices in Transition Presentation PDF
- Promoting Youth Transition: Information and Awareness of Best Practices in Transition Text Only PDF
Promoting Youth Transition: Preparing for Postsecondary Employment and Education
Abstract
In this session, attendees will learn about three types of vocational rehabilitation (VR) practices that prepare youth with disabilities for employment and education opportunities when they leave high school. Many youth with disabilities encounter challenges in developing knowledge, skills, and expectations for their postsecondary employment and education. Offering services that help youth build a stronger foundation—and at an earlier stage—can promote youth’s navigation of their post-high school environment. We will first present on how VR agencies deliver pre-employment transition services to high school students, including service models, partnerships, and staffing. We will then describe effective VR interventions and practices related to postsecondary education for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities or autism. Finally, we will review the elements of customized employment strategies, which VR counselors can use to support both youth and employers.
Presenters
- Purvi Sevak, Ph.D., Mathematica Policy Research
- Jennifer Sullivan Sulewski, Ph.D., Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston
- Laura Owens, Ph.D., CESP, TransCen, Inc.
Intended Audience
- Practitioners
- University Educators
Session Materials
Promoting Youth Transition: Strategies for Increasing Collaboration and Systems Linkages
Abstract
Collaboration across organizations and systems is essential to successful transition from school to work for youth with disabilities. Drawing from multiple projects of the RRTC on Vocational Rehabilitation and Youth, this presentation includes various perspectives on elements of successful collaboration. Lessons on partnerships between VR agencies and higher education programs to serve students with intellectual disability and/or autism will be shared based on case studies of four such partnerships. Perceptions of service system collaboration on transition teams will be shared based on two studies: one exploring perceptions of agency representatives participating on multi-site inter-agency transition teams and the second exploring changing perceptions of collaboration among inter-agency team members participating in RSA-funded Way2Work Maryland teams. Finally, the role of VR partnerships in WIOA implementation will be discussed.
Presenters
- Jennifer Sullivan Sulewski, Ph.D., Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston
- Ellen Fabian, Ph.D., CRC, University of Maryland
- Maureen McGuire-Kuletz, Ed.D., CRC, GW Center for Rehabilitation Counseling Research and Education
Intended Audience
- Practitioners
- University Educators
Session Materials
- Promoting Youth Transition: Strategies for Increasing Collaboration and Systems Linkages PowerPoint Presentation
- Promoting Youth Transition: Strategies for Increasing Collaboration and Systems Linkages Presentation PDF
- Promoting Youth Transition: Strategies for Increasing Collaboration and Systems Linkages Text Only PDF
Promoting Youth Transition: Using Data-Driven Practices to Expand the Evidence Base
Abstract
In this session, attendees will learn about the importance of implementing evidence-based practices and ways to expand the evidence base by efficiently evaluating programs. State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies collect a rich array of data on the students and youth they serve, but have limited resources to leverage those data to identify and implement evidence-based practices. Through data analytic techniques, agencies can better monitor service delivery to youth; examine variation across regions, offices, or staff; and track process, skill gain, employment, and other outcomes. During the session, we will first describe a framework for data-driven decision models. We will share examples of partnerships between researchers and practitioners to put these models into practice. Next, we will share new performance metrics for pre-employment transition services (pre-ETS), which state VR agencies now must make available to all transition-aged students with disabilities. VR agency staff can construct these metrics using data in the quarterly reports that they submit to the Rehabilitation Services Administration and use them to monitor and evaluate pre-ETS. Finally, we will present the VR Program Evaluation Coach, a new web-based tool that program evaluation staff can use to conduct time-saving and rigorous evaluations of programs and services. It is free to use and contains step-by-step instructions to guide the user through the process of designing, conducting, and interpreting findings from program evaluations.
Presenters
- Purvi Sevak, Ph.D., Mathematica Policy Research
- Todd Honeycutt, Ph.D., Mathematica Policy Research
Intended Audience
- Program Evaluation Staff
- Researchers
- Practitioners
Session Materials
- Promoting Youth Transition: Using Data-Driven Practices to Expand the Evidence Base PowerPoint Presentation
- Promoting Youth Transition: Using Data-Driven Practices to Expand the Evidence Base Presentation PDF
- Promoting Youth Transition: Using Data-Driven Practices to Expand the Evidence Base Text Only PDF
Translating WIOA and Youth Transition Services: Meet the Technical Assistance Centers
Abstract
VR has an expanded role in providing services to transition-age youth, and many states are challenged by these new expectations. This session will focus on providing VR services to transition-age youth through the lens of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act, and introduce attendees to three technical assistance centers funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration. Technical assistance providers from the Workforce Innovations Technical Assistance Center (WINTAC), the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT), and the VR Youth Technical Assistance Center (VR Y-TAC) will be presenting on common strategies and challenges in serving youth under WIOA. Topics covered will include delivering Pre-Employment Transition Services, collaborating with partners in education, and service out of school youth. Resources and services provided by the TA centers will be highlighted. The session will conclude with an opportunity for questions.
Presenters
- Sean Roy, M.S., TransCen
- Maureen McGuire-Kuletz, Ed.D., CRC, GW Center for Rehabilitation Counseling Research and Education
- Ronica Marable, MA, NCC, CRC, National Technical Assistance Center on Transition
- Randy Loss, MA, CRC, OWDS, GCDF, VR Youth Technical Assistance Center
Intended Audience
- Students
- University Educators
- VR Transition Specialists
Session Materials
- Translating WIOA and Youth Transition Services: Meet the Technical Assistance Centers PowerPoint Presentation
- Translating WIOA and Youth Transition Services: Meet the Technical Assistance Centers Presentation PDF
- Translating WIOA and Youth Transition Services: Meet the Technical Assistance Centers Text Only PDF