Working with schools: What employment providers need to know for successful collaboration

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Article describes a collaborative transition model and the preliminary results and lessons learned from a 5-year study evaluating the effects on embedded employment resources in schools, the impact of agency connections, and employment outcomes. The goal of the collaborative was to provide employment opportunities for transition-age youth by embedding employment resources into the school to focus on agency connections, employment outcomes, and reducing or eliminating duplication of services. Specifically, a provider employment specialist or career coach was embedded in the school to serve as a single point of contact to represent a “coalition” of providers serving on the collaborative. The collaborative also included vocational rehabilitation (VR), schools, families, and other agencies. Schools with an embedded career coach had students connected to VR services and other community agencies than the comparison sites. Students had more opportunities for work experiences, internships, and paid employment prior to leaving school with the employment providers continuing services after school. By working together, schools and employment providers offer each other value in serving students and enhancing agency connections and employment outcomes.

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