The Pathways to Partnerships Model Demonstration projects aim to improve the transition of youth with disabilities into competitive integrated employment and career paths to improve their economic prosperity and further the integration of individuals with disabilities into society.The overarching goal of this project is to produce new information that policymakers and practitioners can use to promote partnerships and collaboration for seamless comprehensive services for children and youth with disabilities.
TransCen is partnering with Mathematica (Lead), the Center for Transition and Career Innovation at the University of Maryland, Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute, on this project as the technical assistance team.
TransCen has secured a contract with the Indiana Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) to assist them in improving employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Indiana.
The State of Indiana has set an ambitious goal of increasing the number of individuals with disabilities who obtain competitive, integrated employment from 23% in 2022 to 38% by 2027. Indiana DDRS has tapped TransCen to lead activities focused on helping local employment providers “transform” their services to models that promote real jobs in the community for those who want one.
Activities include facilitating learning collaboratives with service providers so they may learn and apply current employment practices and Value Stream Mapping, a strategic planning process that helps providers reimagine their programs and set a plan for making changes. TransCen will also be conducting pilot programs with school districts to help improve their capacity to facilitate work experiences for students with disabilities and conduct listening sessions with self-advocates and families.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has provided funding to TransCen to develop new strategies for job coach fading, including the use of technology as job placement support, and Community of Practice to connect with and learn from each other. Four service providers will participate in a train-the-trainer model to promote technology in supporting individuals with disabilities on the job. The funding comes under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
“These grants provide immediate support to our direct care workers who work tirelessly to ensure some of our most vulnerable residents have the services and supports they need to live independently in their communities,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake.
Under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA several states are using these funds to improve competitive integrated employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
In addition to our training & consulting work with Indiana and Wisconsin, TransCen will be working with the CA DDS on two projects: Customized Employment 2.0: Principles to Practice workshops and virtual Community of Practice learning collaboratives to promote the use of customized methods and Family Engagement and Parent Workshops.
In 2011, TransCen entered into an agreement with the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) to become an Employment Network (EN) for the agency’s Ticket to Work Program. Ticket to Work is an employment support program for people with disabilities who are interested in going to work or increasing their work. The program’s goal is to increase opportunities and choices for Social Security disability beneficiaries to get vocational rehabilitation, employment, and other support services. An EN may provide or coordinate the delivery of these necessary services to Social Security disability beneficiaries. (https://yourtickettowork.com/web/ttw/home)
In a partnership with SchoolTalk, Inc., the Arc of Northern Virginia, the Ivymount School, and the DC Metro Business Leadership Network, this project implements an innovative model for secondary transition fairs that incorporates career exploration and soft skills development as a way to enhance student interaction with exhibitors. Through a series of activity-based learning stations, students have the opportunity to explore career areas of interest while interacting with area employers and post-secondary service providers. Specifically, the students: (1) complete an interest inventory, research employers and consider questions for employers and post-secondary representatives attending the fairs; (2) engage in a series of hands-on activities led by employers that reflect the soft skills necessary for successful youth employment; (3) interact with representatives from a variety of different post-secondary options including representatives from community colleges, trade schools, one stop career centers, and rehabilitative services; (4) participate in a dialogue with employers to share first job experiences; and (5) complete a transition planning guide. This unique model has been implemented successfully in Washington, DC; Fairfax, VA; and Montgomery County, MD for students with disabilities who are in their last two or three years of high school.
The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center provides information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), tailored to meet the needs of businesses, government entities, organizations, and individuals in the Mid-Atlantic region (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, and WV). It is part of the ADA National Network, which consists of ten regional centers located throughout the United States providing personalized assistance to educate the public about the ADA. It is not an enforcement or regulatory agency, but a helpful resource for obtaining information and guidance on compliance with the requirements of the ADA. Funded by NIDILRR, the ADA National Network and its regional centers support ADA’s mission to “make it possible for everyone with a disability to live a life of freedom and equality.” (www.adainfo.org)
The Mid-Atlantic ADA Leadership Network (ADA-LN) is a regional network of trainers who facilitate outreach and training on the ADA in the Mid-Atlantic region (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, and WV). All ADA-LN trainers have been trained to use a 50 module curriculum on disability awareness and the ADA developed by Cornell University. This training resource enables the trainers to mix and match modules to offer training tailored to the specific needs of their audience. The purpose of the ADA-LN is to increase the capacity of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center to provide basic ADA training throughout the region. Currently, 190 people from across the region have participated in a Train the Trainers two-day event.
NTACT is a four year technical assistance and dissemination project focused on assisting State Education Agencies, Local Education Agencies, state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies, and VR service providers in implementing evidence-based and promising practices ensuring students with disabilities, including those with significant disabilities, graduate prepared for success in post-secondary education and employment. It works with these entities, and with other stakeholders engaged in improving outcomes for youth with disabilities, by disseminating resources and tools regarding effective practices and the use of data for program improvement through strategic planning. NTACT’s four major activities include (a) knowledge development, (b) technical assistance and dissemination, (c) leadership and coordination, and (d) evaluation. It is a partnership of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of Oregon, Western Michigan University, the Transition Coalition at the University of Kansas, and is funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). (http://www.transitionta.org/)
The Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilitation contracted with TransCen to develop a National Certificate Course for Employment Specialists throughout the state – a series of courses offered through the Community College of Vermont system. Upon completing the course series, trainees receive the National Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) Certificate. The series of courses consists of a foundation course that takes all Employment Specialists through the competencies related to the job search process, regardless of the type of job seeker they are working with. After completing the foundation course, Employment Specialists can take one or more of the following specialty courses that address the unique strategies and challenges of working with specific types of job seekers: Developmental Disabilities; Mental Health, Transition, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
The Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilitation contracted with TransCen to evaluate their statewide transition program. Given the passage of the Workforce Innovation Opportunities Act (WIOA), the state VR agency has expanded the number of and changed the job duties of Transition Counselors and Employment Specialists working with youth in school. TransCen is providing technical assistance and training for these VR staff, as well as assessing programmatic impact over time.
