3.9 Capacity Building (Zhang)

2023

Over the past several decades, research has repeatedly shown that transition services are essential for students with disabilities to make a successful transition from school to adulthood. Students who are prepared to enter the workforce at graduation are more likely to be employed in meaningful employment. Gaining meaningful employment is one of the core factors predicting quality of life as an adult. In order to prepare students with disabilities for this transition from being a student to being an independent adult, transition services need to start as early as possible. Starting transition services by age 14 is a key factor of success because (a) it takes more instructional time for students with disabilities to learn and generalize essential employability and pre-employment transition services (pre-ETS) skills from a school setting to authentic situation that occur in the workplace and community; (b) many students dropout of school before graduation due to the lack of interest in learning that is not well connected to work. Therefore, it is imperative to provide students with disabilities pre-ETS activities and instruction as early as age 14. In conjunction with the Texas Workforce Commission, TAMU's Capacity Building project is working directly with transition educators and vocational rehabilitation counselors to improve collaboration in order to expand the opportunities for students ages 14-16 to engage in pre-ETS activities. This project provides opportunities for educators and VRCs to evaluate current practices, collaborate on service delivery, and create meaningful experiences for students to prepare them for employment. The Capacity Building project held four focus groups in four of the six TWC regions within the state of TX. These one-day events brought together 120 transition educators and VRCs to share experiences and determine what is working and what needs improvement. The Capacity Building project held regional conferences in four of the six TWC regions in TX. The day and a half conference connected transition educators with their area VRC to provide education and facilitated planning and organization of services for students with disabilities. A total of 491 VRCs and educators attended the conferences. Activities Included: Hosted 6 Focus Group Sessions between April 2022 and December 2022 Hosted/will host 6 regional conferences and one Statewide Conference between January 2023 and December 2023 Will showcase 12 successful transition programs with significant collaboration between TWC and LEAs, and one Statewide Conference between January 2024 and December 2024

capacity building; technical assistance; transition; Employment

Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training, Other Direct/Model Services

Employment-Related Activities, Other - Leadership

Professionals and Para-Professionals

Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban, Specific Groups

Single-County, State

Yes