Research Database: Article Details

Citation:  Taylor, J.P., Whittenburg, H.N., Rooney-Kron, M., Gokita, T., Lau, S.J., Thoma,C.A., & Scott, L.A. (2021). Implementation of Pre-Employment Transition Services: A Content Analysis of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act State Plans. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals,
Title:  Implementation of Pre-Employment Transition Services: A Content Analysis of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act State Plans
Authors:  Taylor, J.P., Whittenburg, H.N., Rooney-Kron, M., Gokita, T., Lau, S.J., Thoma,C.A., & Scott, L.A.
Year:  2021
Journal/Publication:  Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals
Publisher:  SAGE
DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1177/2165143421993027
Full text:  https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2165143421993027   
Peer-reviewed?  Yes
NIDILRR-funded?  Yes

Structured abstract:

Background:  Many youth with disabilities experience persistently low rates of competitive integrated employment (CIE) and participation in higher education. In 2014, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) established a policy focus on CIE as the goal of vocational services for youth and individuals with disabilities. In addition, WIOA created provision for Pre–Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) to ensure that state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies focused sufficient resources toward transition-age youth. This study examined a sample of WIOA State Implementation Plans in depth using content analysis to identify how state VR agencies prioritized the provision of Pre-ETS services to youth with disabilities. Analysis of state plans resulted in three emergent themes: (a) instructional priorities, (b) instructional contexts, and (c) networks of stakeholders. We discuss the implications of these themes for future research, policy, and practice related to the employment of individuals with disabilities.

Disabilities served:  Multiple disabilities
Interventions:  Rehabilitation counseling
Vocational rehabilitation
Transition services