Competencies Needed for Transition Specialists in Vocational Rehabilitation Vocational Education, and Special Education

Abstract

Transition services and interagency service coordination for youth with disabilities have increased significantly during the past 10 years. The development of these services has necessitated the creation of new human services professional roles. One emerging role is that of transition specialist. Competencies for this new role of transition specialist have not been validated. This study was conducted to identify and validate competencies for transition specialist practitioners. Practitioners across the United States from the fields of vocational special education, special education, and vocational rehabilitation identified competencies believed essential to providing effective transition services. “Knowledge of agencies and systems change” was the highest-rated competency.