Development of Skills2Work: An Employment Readiness and Soft Skills Training Program for Transition-Age Youth with Intellectual Disability - This "Proof-of-Concept" project aims to develop the Skills2Work program. The project aligns with the outcome domain of employment, focusing on employment readiness and soft skills training with integrated work-based learning (WBL) for transition-age youth with intellectual disabilities (TAY-ID). The project will achieve three goals to: 1) develop the Skills2Work program, 2) assess the program's feasibility for TAY-ID, and 3) examine preliminary efficacy. The Skills2Work program will adhere to the Guidelines for Success Framework, providing classroom-based instruction and WBL opportunities for skill generalization. Specific objectives will be achieved through these three phases. Phase 1 involves a landscape analysis that includes a systematic literature review, focus groups with TAY-ID, caregivers, teachers, Pre-ETS counselors, and employers, and reviews of current transition programs to inform Skills2Work's development. Phase 2 will conduct a feasibility study with 5 TAY-ID accessing Skills2Work through MSU's STRIDE Center and WBL placements on campus. Revisions to the program will occur at the end of this phase. Phase 3 will pilot Skills2Work in a school setting to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy, using a mixed-methods evaluation that includes pre/post-tests and a 6-month follow-up for 30 TAY-ID across the Skills2Work group and a waitlist control group. A community advisory board will inform all project phases, and all project activities will be completed with a co-researcher with intellectual disabilities. The primary outcomes include feasibility of the Skills2Work program and preliminary efficacy of impact on employment readiness, soft skills, and achievement of CIE. The final products will consist of the Skills2Work program and protocols ready for further evaluation through a "Proof-of-Product" Field Initiated project.
