Intensive TA Menu of Activities and Services

The following menu of services are specific to the provision of Intensive Technical Assistance (TA) under the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) funded Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Youth (Y-TAC). This menu serves as a generic menu of Required* and Potential activities, strategies and/or services with the understanding that each state’s needs will be distinct and as such each of these services/activities will be customized to the specific needs, goals, and objectives of the state.

Process:

Multi-Level Stakeholder Needs Assessment*
A customized comprehensive needs assessment will be administered to a variety of stakeholders at varying levels (i.e. administration, mid-level management, counselors etc.) to determine which areas of need are greatest per stakeholder group with results being used to develop individualized state-specific Intensive TA Agreement.

Strategic Planning Meeting / Logic Model Creation*
An on-site strategic planning meeting designed to set the goals and measureable objectives the state wants to achieve and the foundation for the development of the state-specific benchmarks and outcome indicators and the development of the Individualized TA Agreement.

Individualized TA Agreement*
Individualized state-specific TA Agreement that outlines the services, activities and areas of focus as well as measurable objectives and projected outcomes for Intensive TA.

Benchmark and Outcome Indicators*
Customized benchmarks and outcome indicator matrix based on needs identified in the Multi-Level Stakeholder Needs Assessment as well as specific goals identified by the VR Agency in conjunction with the Y-TAC as part of the strategic planning process and their Individualized TA Agreement.

Potential Activities

Topic and State Specific Webinars
State Specific Community of Practices
Peer Exchanges
Peer Mentoring Networks
Professional Development
State-Specific Customer Flow and Model Application
One-on-One TA to Multiple State and Local Level Stakeholders
On-Site Training
On-Site Meeting Facilitation and Strategic Planning
Customized Employment Pilot Project

Goal #1

Increase state VR agencies’ ability to establish partnerships with state and local agencies, service providers, or other entities that implement outreach policies and procedures to increase the engagement of Youth with Disabilities (YwD)
Increase state VR agency personnel’s ability to effectively outreach to YwD
Increase number of referrals and applications of YwD to state

Training Option

Understanding Systems; Differences between Coordination (Referrals) and Collaboration (Shared Customers)
Tailored state-specific support in resource mapping based on the Guideposts for Success framework and systems capacity building at the state and local levels.

Partnership Building, Cross System Collaboration and Blending and Braiding of Resources
Tailored State-Specific support in implementation of systemic and customer level models for partnership building, blending, braiding and resource coordination
(i.e. active resource coordination, integrated resource team model, inter- agency committees, shared cohorts, etc.)

Marketing and Outreach
Implementation of direct (i.e. social media campaign,
and traditional media, texting, etc.) and indirect (partnership development) marketing and outreach strategies based on specific state and local needs.

Goal #2

Increase state VR agencies’ ability to identity the needs and create plans to meet the needs of YwD
Increase state VR agency personnel’s ability to develop quality plans
Increase number of YwD served by state VR agencies who engage in post-secondary education and training that leads to credentials needed for employment in high demand occupations

Training Options

Exploration and Implementation of Evidence-Based Research and Practices for Youth in Transition
Tailored state-specific support in translating evidence based research/practices into practical application within state-specific customer delivery models.
Non-Traditional Service Delivery Models
Tailored state-specific support in practical application of non- traditional service delivery models.

Career Planning and Management Competencies
Introduction and/or exploration or application of Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) as part of state-specific service delivery model.

Professional Development Competencies for Working with YWD

Access to National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) Youth Service Professional Knowledge Skills and Abilities (YSP/KSA) professional development curriculum.

Professional , Organizational and Systems Infrastructure Development for Working Effectively with YWD who receive public entitlements
Tailored state-specific support at the system, organizational, and practitioner level to equip state VR Agencies to meet the unique needs represented by this population and braid resources to maximize employment outcomes.

Goal #3

Increase state VR agencies’ implementation of coordinated/collaborative service strategies that increase youth competitive employment
Increase the number of YwD served by state VR agencies who obtain competitive integrated employment, especially in high demand occupations in career paths that are responsive to employers

Training Options

Partnership Building and Cross System Collaboration Development. Tailored application of partnership building/cross system collaboration development (i.e. Leading by Convening, reaching consensus/initiating collaboration/implementing goals/sustaining partnership, etc.).

Career Preparation and Work Based Learning Experiences Models. Tailored state-specific support in translating evidence based research/practices (i.e. High School/High Tech, Universal Design, Work Based Learning (WBL), soft skill development models, on-the-job training models, etc.) into practical application within state-specific customer delivery models.

Professional Development Competencies for Working with YWD. Access to National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) Youth Service Professional Knowledge Skills and Abilities (YSP/KSA) professional development curriculum.

Goal #4

Increase state VR agencies’ ability to develop and/or implement customized training, career training, and work experiences for YwD
Increase the number of YwD served by state VR agencies who obtain competitive integrated employment, especially in high demand occupations in career paths that are responsive to employers

Training Options

Comprehensive Career Planning and Management for Youth. Implementation and application of comprehensive career planning and management process that sequentially builds on itself (i.e. self-exploration, career exploration, career planning and management) that takes into account what YwD need (i.e. Guideposts for Success) to be successful in work and community.
Customized Training and Work Experiences for Youth with Disabilities. Development of customized training and work experiences inclusive of YwD from a variety of service sectors that take into account individual state and local level service delivery models, universal design, and youth development and leadership
(i.e. High School/High Tech, Customized Employment, RAMP, Right Turn).
Professional Development Competencies for Working with YWD. Access to National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) Youth Service Professional Knowledge Skills and Abilities (YSP/KSA) professional development curriculum.

Goal #5

Increase state VR agencies’ ability to develop and/or implement delivery of Support Services to Career Training Producers and Employers around working with YwD
Increase the number of YwD served by state VR agencies who obtain competitive integrated employment, especially in high demand occupations in career paths that are responsive to employers

Training Options

Development of Support Services for Employers for Working with Youth with Disabilities.
Personalized support around application and implementation of support service models for employers working with YwD based on research and evidence based practices (i.e. Guideposts for Employer Success).
Development of Support Services for Career Training Providers. Personalized support around application and implementation of support service models for Career Training Providers working with YwD based on research
and evidence based practices.