The vocational assessment protocol for school-to-work transition programs

Objective: A total of 149 persons involved in 20 community-based vocational rehabilitation programs located throughout the United States that serve persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) participated in a study to examine the structure and content of a vocational assessment process and functional abilities rating instruments. These are applicable for educators to use when examining work-related skills of students with TBI transitioning from school to work. Measures: Nine rating instruments that constitute the Vocational Assessment Protocol (VAP) were used, including two demographic profiles, three clinical profiles, and four vocational profiles. Data from case records and input from service providers, examinees, and significant others were used to complete the nine profiles. Results: Data collected with the VAP identified a high incidence rate of common barriers to employment. Barriers involving social and adaptive skills, physical demands, emotional behaviors, and cognitive skills mere common. Conclusions: The data presented underscore the need for educators to examine and develop work-related skills of youth in school-to-work transition.