Affiliations: [a]
The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| [b]
University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Sarah R. Carlson, Department of Special Education, University of Kansas, Rm. 521 JR Pearson Hall, 1122 W. Campus Road, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA. Tel.: +1 785 864 0545; E-mail: sarah.carlson@ku.edu.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:In July 2014, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into law, amending the Rehabilitation Act of 1998 and establishing new workforce initiatives for state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies. Final regulations were released in July 2016, requiring state VR agencies to fund and coordinate Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). Many state VR agencies have developed policies to define and address the provision of Pre-ETS in their jurisdictions. Given the recent establishment of WIOA and its associated regulations, little is known about state Pre-ETS policies. OBJECTIVE:The objective of this study was to analyze state Pre-ETS policies for the purpose of understanding the impact of WIOA and Pre-ETS on students and youth with disabilities, as well as on professional practice. METHODS:Content analysis was used to examine 38 state Pre-ETS policies. RESULTS:Results revealed similarities and differences across states with regard to how and to what extent state policies addressed Pre-ETS requirements outlined in federal WIOA policy. CONCLUSION:This paper offers an analysis of state Pre-ETS policies, making recommendations for research, policy, and practice. Findings provided an understanding of how Pre-ETS are operationalized in policy, which forms the basis for how they will be delivered in practice.
