3.7 Capacity Building (Miller)
Project Description:
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 focus groups in each of the six TWC regions within the state of Texas. These one-day events brought together 93 transition educators and 90 VRCs to share experiences and determine what is working and what needs improvement.
Next, the Capacity Building project held regional conferences in each of the six TWC regions in Texas. 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 252 VRCs and 293 educators attended the conferences. Based upon focus group data in input from regional conferences, the project hosted a two-day statewide conference to provide additional training and collaboration opportunities for 435 transition professionals. Satisfaction surveys indicate that 99% of attendees agreed or strongly agreed that they were satisfied with the training and technical assistance provided by the conferences and that their professional knowledge had increased as a result of the conferences.
The final phase of the project included 12 regional best-practice showcases and a statewide conference. Throughout the year, the 12 regional showcases were strategically conducted across the state, providing professional development to over 500 transition professionals. Each showcase featured at least one exemplary local Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and LEA team, highlighting their successful collaborative practices in serving students with disabilities. Some showcases featured multiple VR/LEA teams, offering diverse perspectives on effective collaboration. The project culminated in a three-day statewide conference, with over 400 attendees, including VR counselors, administrations, and more. The conference program featured two keynote presentations, several breakout sessions and a panel discussion. Additionally, 16 exemplary work-based learning projects were showcased. Satisfaction surveys indicate that 99% of attendees agreed or strongly agreed that they were satisfied with the training and technical assistance provided by the conferences and that their professional knowledge had increased as a result of the conferences.
Activities Included:
Hosted 6 Focus Group Sessions in 2022
Hosted 6 regional conferences in 2023
Hosted 1Statewide Conference in 2023
Showcased 12 high-performing transition teams in 2024
Hosted 1 Statewide Conference in 2024
Keyword(s):
capacity building; technical assistance; transition; employment
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Employment-Related Activities, Other - Leadership
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
None
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Single-County, Mulit-County, State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
