Objective: The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of the current literature regarding the vocational rehabilitation services found effective in promoting employment among transition-age youth with disabilities as well as identifying factors affecting the effectiveness of those services. Methods: This study utilized the Preferred…

The author reviews two studies relating to the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and its service to disabled individuals. Results showed that high school dropouts and welfare recipients are targeted often by the Service Delivery Areas and that 92 percent of the participants are economically disadvantaged. (CH)

The Labor Market Orientation (LMO) program responded to the problem of unemployment among Black teenagers. LMO provided classroom training which mitigated unrealistic expectations and served as an introduction to the requisites of the work world. The program was successful in providing a rational sequence of training and job exposure. (JCD)

This article identifies segments of the deaf-blind population needing additional support to secure and maintain employment, such as the deaf-blind mentally retarded. Supported employment models are described in this context, with special emphasis on the individual placement model and its approaches to job development, worker assessment, training…

Work force development in the Peoples' Republic of China (PRC) is affected by sundry but interrelated factors. Included among these are the following: (1) the PRC's population of one billion people; (2) a recent history of political turmoil and violence, resulting in profound changes in national leadership and vacillation in national policy; (3)…

The monograph was designed for special educators working with the severely mentally retarded and it examines methods of providing vocational training and educational opportunities for this population. The first chapter, by D. Biklen and G. Dybwad ("A Perspective on the Social and Cultural History of Severely and Profoundly Mentally Retarded…

A review of research on vocational rehabilitation of the mentally retarded shows that many programs have been successful in placing clients. Evaluation methods are reviewed and vocational training methods in different states are described. Research shows that relevant evaluation, training, and placement can succeed. (JAC)

The Parents' Fair Share Demonstration (PFS) was created to boost the incomes of poor noncustodial parents (most of them fathers) so as to increase child support payments and decrease the number of welfare recipients. This report gives the results of a nine-site pilot program, which operated from early 1992 through 1993. The program addressed two…

Thirty Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) programs, selected because of high Hispanic population or because community groups had reported inequitable services, were reviewed to determine whether women and Hispanics received equitable services. Data indicate that many programs failed to: meet their participation and employment…

The Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) represents a 6-year experiment in the privatization of public responsibilities that demonstrates that enlisting private energies to serve the public purpose is an appealing but deceptively elusive goal. Although contractors are evaluated and paid by reference to output standards, accountability is difficult…

This article uses survey data to describe some common elements among rural vocational rehabilitation programs and differentiate them from their urban counterparts. The survey of 173 Goodwill Industries centers brought 78 responses. Thirteen centers (17%) characterized themselves as entirely rural; 22 (28%) as nonrural, and 43 organizations said…

A state-of-the-art study was developed to describe the present status of the job placement procedures for educable mentally retarded (EMR) students who have received high school occupational education in New York State. Fifty-four local school superintendents were contacted to participate in the study. Forty-four board of cooperative education…

High school noncompletion is a complex problem that requires complex solutions that schools are often inhibited from implementing quickly. Alternative educational services are often necessary for students who are able to complete high school but who find school an unrewarding place in which to learn. A loose network of public and private programs…

A survey of over 3,800 employers found that school-provided vocational training was required for 9.5 percent of the jobs studied and "important but not required" for another 37.9 percent. In this study, new employees with relevant vocational education exhibited these characteristics: (1) were 6.5 percent more productive 6 to 36 months after being…

This publication, one of a series designed to help policymakers and TANF [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families] agency personnel, offers a baseline for understanding the challenge of serving persons who are being forced off welfare roles but who are hard to place in employment. The following topics are covered: (1) policy issues (who should be…