Purpose - The purpose of this project is to test the feasibility of a collaborative approach to planning and providing secondary and postsecondary services and supports for improving the transition outcomes of adolescents with cognitive disabilities. The Professional Development and Case Management (PDCM) model will target school-age and adult service professionals of transition aged youth with disabilities (16-21 yrs.), for ongoing professional development in implementing evidence-based transition practices.
Goal - The PDCM project seeks to improve employment outcomes for youth with cognitive disabilities by strengthening collaboration among schools, vocational rehabilitation, and developmental disability services. Goals include enhancing the quality of IEPs and IPEs, increasing the use of evidence-based practices, supporting multi-agency case management, and evaluating the effectiveness of the PDCM model to ensure more seamless, coordinated transition services.
Benefits - The PDCM project helps professionals improve collaboration and transition planning, leading to stronger IEPs and IPEs, better coordination across agencies, and more effective services. For youth with cognitive disabilities, this means increased access to quality transition supports and improved employment outcomes.