*Supported Employment; Transitional Programs

Supported employment opportunities can help to meet the transition needs of individuals enrolled in special education programs. A review of related literature discusses characteristics of supported employment program participants, the need for individual transition planning, the school's role and responsibility, vocational planning, benefits, interagency collaboration, program effectiveness, and federal funding. Based on a pilot study of supported employment in schools in Denton, Texas, benefits of supported employment participation were found to include encouraging students at risk of dropping out to remain in school, increased collaboration with service agencies, and students ' receipt of comparable wages for comparable work. Recommendations for supported employment participation focus on supervision by the job coach, vocational training by the job coach, job placement, and payment of at least minimum wage. The paper concludes that with funding, supported employment programs are certainly worth the energy, commitment, and investment. The paper also concludes that a comprehensive supported employment program can help relieve parents of apprehensive feelings as they approach the crossroads of academic or vocational training. (Contains 31 references.) (JDD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document