From College to Careers: Strengthening Employment Outcomes after Postsecondary Education for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Project Description:
The University of Massachusetts Boston's Institute for Community Inclusion was awarded a three-year project, From College to Career: Strengthening Employment Outcomes after Postsecondary Education for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) (FCTC). The FCTC will generate knowledge to improve postsecondary education (PSE) staff's ability to support students with IDD to obtain employment. The target population is staff at PSE programs for students with IDD. Objectives: 1) Understand the employment outcomes of students who attended PSE and the characteristics of students who are and are not employed after attending; 2) Understand the strategies PSE programs use to support students to obtain employment; 3) Understand the knowledge and skills PSE program staff need to support students to navigate barriers to employment; and 4) Translate findings into an intervention to improve PSE program staff's ability to support students to obtain employment after PSE. Approach includes: 1) secondary data analysis on employment services and outcomes for PSE students; 2) case studies on PSE programs and staff; 3) iterative curriculum development; and 4) a feasibility and acceptability study. Outcomes include: 1) knowledge about who does and does not obtain employment after PSE; 2) knowledge about strategies and challenges in supporting the path from PSE to employment; and 3) a tool to improve PSE programs' support of the employment process and ensure all students graduate with a job. Products include: 1) Project webpage; 2) Research- to-Practice briefs; 3) Plain language briefs; 4) Webinars and conference presentations; 5) Peer-reviewed manuscripts; and 6) Intervention to improve PSE program staff's knowledge and skills. A National Advisory Board will guide implementation.
Keyword(s):
Developmental Disabilities, employment, postsecondary education
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Employment-Related Activities
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Professionals and Para-Professionals
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
None
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
National
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
