Use of Research-Based Transition Recommendations for Youth With Disabilities in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Plans

Abstract

As vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies continue to implement provisions of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to provide employment-related transition services to youth with disabilities, it is unclear if implementation plans include predictors of post-school employment and evidence-based transition practices. We conducted a content analysis of 54 state/territory VR agency WIOA plans from 2020 to determine the extent to which research-based transition recommendations (RBTRs) were included. Our findings indicate that there was substantial variability in the number of RBTRs present within plans but that most plans ( n = 46) included between 50% and 70% of RBTRs. Career awareness, interagency collaboration, and general work experience activities were most frequently represented. Of note, student involvement in transition planning, technology skills instruction, and career technical education did not appear as frequently in plans. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.

Transition self-assessment tool: The development and field testing of a statewide assessment of pre-employment transition services

“…As we enter the second decade of WIOA interpretation and implementation, we are optimistic about state VR agencies' capacity to address known barriers to delivering Pre-ETS (e.g., Awsumb et al, 2020;Carter et al, 2021;Poppen et al, 2021;Taylor et al, 2022;Whittenburg et al, 2023). The findings we have presented lead to a set of recommendations that VR agencies can work to further address.…”

“…Yet, these barriers persist and are compounded by imperfect communication between VR and state education agencies (SEAs) and LEAs, and limited time and resources (e.g., Carter et al, 2021;Lambert et al, 2023;Zhang et al, 2023). Furthermore, VR agencies have continued to struggle with translating policy into practice to meet WIOA requirements (e.g., GAO, 2018;Taylor et al, 2022;Whittenburg et al, 2023).…”

The promise and the challenge of pre-employment transition services: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act after ten years

“…As we consider these factors, research has shown that states have varied widely in how they have prioritized WIOA implementation in general (Taylor et al, 2022), Pre-ETS delivery in particular (Whittenburg et al, 2024), and the degree to which they have incorporated research-based practices in Pre-ETS planning (Whittenburg et al, 2023). Additionally, there is significant variation in who provides Pre-ETS within states, with some states providing all services through VR staff, others providing all services through vendor-purchased service agreements, and the majority through a combination of the two (Whittenburg et al, 2024).…”

State-level characteristics and trends in pre-employment transition service delivery to students with disabilities

“…Likewise, most states identified community-based experiences as the primary context for Pre-ETS delivery but differed greatly in the amount of time and intensity to be devoted to such experiences (Taylor et al, 2022). Additionally, Whittenburg et al (2023) found that states also varied widely in the degree to which they incorporated research-based transition recommendations in their planning and delivery of Pre-ETS. The findings from Carlson (2020), Taylor et al (2022), andWhittenburg et al (2023) show that a student's experience with Pre-ETS is likely to differ simply as a matter of their respective state of residence.…”

“…Additionally, Whittenburg et al (2023) found that states also varied widely in the degree to which they incorporated research-based transition recommendations in their planning and delivery of Pre-ETS. The findings from Carlson (2020), Taylor et al (2022), andWhittenburg et al (2023) show that a student's experience with Pre-ETS is likely to differ simply as a matter of their respective state of residence.…”