Beacons of Excellence: Gloucester
Virginia's Collaborative Model for Pre-Employment Transition Services, funded by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, highlights Gloucester County Schools and their recent Summer Training Programs for students as a Beacon of Excellence in Pre-Employment Transition Services. The programs included Welding Classes, Culinary Classes, and a Drone Academy.
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Meet the Researchers: Jaclyn and Hannah
Who is behind some of the research here at the RRTC? Here is a behind-the-scenes look at the real people driving our research. Jaclyn Camden, M.Ed., NCC, and Hannah Carignan, CRC, are researchers here at the RRTC. Discover what they’re working on and the populations they're affecting with their work.
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Bonus Offering of the Supported Employment Course: An Accelerated Version
For the first time, VCU-RRTC is offering the ACRE-Approved Supported Employment online course in an accelerated format! The 12-week course will be offered in a 7-week format, offering the same amount of great content in a shorter amount of time. The accelerated course will run from November 3rd to December 19th. Registration opens today, August 11th, and will remain open until October 31st. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity…
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Upcoming Course: Evidence-Based Practices to Teach Students with ASD
September 8 - October 13, 2025
*VA Residents Only*
This course is designed to provide educators with skills and knowledge to instruct students with ASD in the educational setting. The course provides an overview of the importance of good instruction, appropriate skill selection, and evidence-based practices. A focus of the course will surround the "foundational five" evidence-based practices. The "foundational five" include: antecedent-based interventions, visual supports, systematic instruction, and interventions to promote social and communications skills.
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Upcoming Course: Just the Basics: Educating Young Children with ASD in Early Care and Education
September 8, 2025 - May 1, 2026 (School-Year-Long Course)
*VA Residents Only*
The course is designed for early childhood education and early care professionals who want to expand their knowledge of best practices for young children with ASD. Families and community members are also welcome to take this course. While this course will provide foundational information about the characteristics of ASD and strengths of children with ASD, this is a hands-on course where participants will have multiple opportunities to assess their classroom practices and implement a variety of evidence-based practices for three main areas: environment, instruction, and interactions.
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Upcoming Webcast: Getting Started Right: Preparing for Inclusive Research with Collaborators who are Blind, Deafblind, or have Low-Vision
August 14, 2025 | 2:00 - 2:45pm ET
This webcast details a structured discussion on conducting inclusive research. It covers three main areas: introducing the research study, discussing the responsibility of accessibility, including preparations for inclusive practices and specific tips and recommendations, and sharing lessons learned, with a particular focus on accessibility with lived experiences and the challenges and strengths of assistive technology.
Also, check out the research summary today!
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Upcoming Webcast: Alaska Self-Employment Supports to Transition-Aged Adults
August 20, 2025 | 2:00 - 2:45pm ET
Learning Objectives:
- Identify key collaborations and strategies used to enhance entrepreneurial opportunities.
- Discuss the impact of these initiatives on individuals and the broader community.
- Recognize best practices and lessons learned in supporting self-employment for transition-aged adults.
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Upcoming Webcast: From Risk to Resilience: Empowering Youth with Disabilities At-risk of Justice Involvement through Employment and Inclusion
August 28, 2025 | 2:00 - 2:45pm ET
This session will feature Alyssa Hernandez, Sagun Sharma, and Dr. Connie Sung of the University of Michigan as they highlight personal stories, systemic challenges, and promising practices that promote employment for youth with disabilities navigating justice involvement. Presenters will also share a new school-based, community-engaged intervention that centers lived experience in its design. Register for free to attend!
Also, check out the research summary today!
| | | The VCU-RRTC on Employment of Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is launching the monthly podcast Zooming into Focus on Sept. 8, 2025. The podcast features interviews with the project’s director, research study leads, and steering committee members discussing the research and training of the project. The new podcast will release episodes on the second Monday of each month over the next five years. Listeners can enjoy the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music as well as on the project website at idd.vcurrtc.org/training/podcast | | | |
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New CTI Resource
The latest Fast Facts from the Center on Transition Innovations explores how self-determination can be nurtured in everyday life for students with disabilities. Self-Determination in Action: At Home, at School, and in the Community offers practical strategies to help students build confidence, make choices, and develop independence across different environments. Learn how families, educators, and communities can support students in becoming self-determined individuals as they prepare for adult life. Check out the Fast Facts from CTI on self-determination today!
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DARS Pre-ETS Resource
Connecting students to DARS as early as 14 is a fantastic way to ensure a smooth transition into life after high school. This Fast Fact explains the continuum of transition services DARS offers as students move from high school to post-secondary opportunities. Check out the DARS Continuum of Transition Services Fast Facts today to learn more. And if you're not sure where to start, the Pre-ETS Sequencing Guide was designed to help educators, DARS Counselors, and Pre-ETs providers figure that out. Use this guide as a tool to help plan out Pre-ETS services based on where your student currently is in terms of skills and knowledge. The guide can also be used to drive the path for sequence of services for the transition team. Download and save the Pre-ETS Sequencing Guide to learn more.
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