The transition from youth to adulthood is challenging for almost every young person. This is particularly true for young people with disabilities. Yet, it is in those crucial transition-age years that a young person's future can be determined. An extensive literature review of research, demonstration projects and effective practices -- including lessons from youth development, quality education, and workforce development programs.

To make the transition from school to adult life and the world of work, adolescents and young adults need support from caring competent adults. Youth service professionals require a mix of competencies in youth development, education, workforce development, and disability. Research shows the professional development of staff leads to better practice with youth, improves program quality, and increases positive youth outcomes.

NCWD/Youth's Innovative Strategies features workforce development programs and practices that serve youth with disabilities, either as a target population or as part of other youth populations. Both state and local level practices are featured. Its purpose is to improve services to youth with disabilities throughout the workforce system by making available information on quality workforce development programs and practices. The programs and practices are organized around three broad categories:

An individualized learning plan (ILP) is both a document and a process that students use – with support from school counselors, teachers, and parents – to define their career goals and postsecondary plans in order to inform the student’s decisions about their courses and activities throughout high school.

Many youth between the ages of 14 to 25 have a difficult time transitioning from secondary to post-secondary or workplace settings. During this critical transition time, all students benefit from developing and practicing real-world skills and applications while still in the classroom. For students with learning disabilities, who often have less positive transition outcomes than their peers, the development of these skills is even more important.

The Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP) is a transition framework based on NCWD/Youth resources including our career-focused mentoring guide. RAMP is a high-tech, career-focused mentoring program for youth involved with or at risk of becoming involved with the juvenile justice system.

The active engagement of both youth and families is an essential part of any effort to improve youth outcomes. NCWD/Youth offers strategies and resources for engaging youth and families in programs and systems.