RRTC on Employment of Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities. This research is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant# 90RTEM0002).

Research Study #2: Effects of Knowledge Translation Methods on Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Providing Pre-ETS to Youth with Significant Disabilities 14-16 years of age. Research by Virginia Commonwealth University and in partnership with the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute

Purpose
The purpose of this pilot Intervention Development Randomized Control Trial is to use knowledge translation (KT) methods to develop and deliver a toolkit to assist vocational rehabilitation counselors providing pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) to students 14 to 16 years of age with significant disabilities.

Overview
Through the knowledge translation (KT) process, which includes feedback from students, their families, and Pre-ETS counselors, new knowledge is generated to promote participation and quality Pre-ETS to youth with disabilities (YWD) early on in their transition planning process. The objectives of the study are to conduct interviews, provide Pre-ETS, collect qualitative input from stakeholders, develop a Pre-ETS toolkit, and conduct a preliminary Randomized Control Trial. Using feedback and evidence-based knowledge, our KT approach targets younger students and contributes considerably to the state-of-the-art support services for students 14-16 with significant disabilities in shaping their career pathways.

Spring 2024 Phase 3: The study is currently in Phase 3. Phase 3 includes recruiting participants, obtaining consents, and the randomization of participants into two study groups; those who will have access to the toolkit and those who will have toolkit access plus technical assistance. Participants will participate in a Canvas course whereby modules will be released on a targeted schedule so that participants can interact with the components of the toolkit. Data will be collected. Phase 3 will conclude at the end of May 2024.