After engaging in a highly competitive grant process, Vermont was chosen by the federal Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) as one out of eight states nationally to receive this grant. The goal of this project is to explore model approaches that create a community-wide system of inclusion, support and engagement for school age youth with disabilities as they transition into their adult roles in the community.

The Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is working in collaboration with education, employers/business, higher education, youth and families, other community/State partners such as Vermont Parent Information Center, Disability Law Project, developmental services, mental health, local non-profit organziations, etc. to reach this goal.

The outcomes for the Project are:

•An increased number of youth with disabilities making successful transitions to employment and post-secondary education;
• Increased employment experiences and career options for youth with disabilities;
• Prevention or reduction of negative outcomes defined as involvement in the adult and juvenile justice systems; high school drop out rate; placement in institutional settings or psychiatric hospitals.