Use the SSI calculators on the TACE website to show clients who are on SSI what happens to their benefits when they return to work. Select the calculator for the work incentive(s) in question, such as Impairment Related Work Expense, PASS or Student Earned Income; enter the requested figures in the spreadsheet and let the calculator do the rest! Note that these are meant to illustrate the impact of earned income; they are not a replacement for benefits planning.

With income tax season upon us, now is the time to talk with your Vocational Rehabilitation clients about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is a federal income tax credit for low to moderate income working individuals and families. This credit is a great incentive for many of your clients who are struggling to make work pay.

The IRS released Where Taxpayers With Disabilities Can Find Online Help from the IRS [Video], a YouTube video that provides information about tax products and other IRS services offered to people with disabilities.

The Southeast TACE Asset Development Exchange offers several user-friendly tax resources to assist clients with their taxes.

Promise for the Future: A Compendium of Fact Sheets on Federal Programs for Transition-Age Youth with Serious Mental Health Conditions [PDF] describes programs administered by the federal government that can help young people ages 14-30 transition to careers and independent living.

The March 2014 Disability Connection Newsletter features 10 Ways to Make a Smooth Transition to Adulthood.

The I'm Determined Transition Guide from the Virginia Department of Education Self-Determination Project suggests transition preparation activities students should undertake at different ages. The realms of Independent Living, Employment, Post-secondary Education and Training, and Self-determination are addressed in the guide.

 Employment Outcomes of Transition-Aged Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A State of the States Report by S.  Burgess and R.E. Cimera (American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 119(1), 64-83) reports findings of a study to evaluate the employment outcomes of transition-aged adults with autism spectrum disorders served by vocational rehabilitation services over the last 10 years by state. Although the number of young adults with ASD seeking VR services has increased, employment outcomes (percentage of adults working, number of hours worked, and wages earned) have not improved.

 "Just Having a Job"': Career Advancement for Low-Wage Workers with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities by L. Lindstrom, K.A. Hirano, C. McCarthy, and C.Y. Alverson (Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals,  online ahead of print) found that young people's employment opportunities seemed to be influenced by family advocacy and expectations, school-based work experiences, job development services, and work environments. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)

Transition from School to Adulthood for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: What We Know and What We Need to Know by P. Wehman, C. Schall, S. Carr, P. Targett, M. West, and G. Cifu (Journal of Disability Policy Studies, online ahead of print) provides a critical review of the key aspects of the transition process and identifies recommendations for policy and practice. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)

Identifying a Transition Competency Domain Structure: Assisting Transition Planning Teams to Understand Roles and Responsibilities of Community Partners by A. Plotner, J. Trach, and K. Shogren (Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education, 26(2-3), 255-270) describes a transition competency domain model consisting of seven domains: (1) provide career planning and counseling, (2) provide career preparation experiences, (3) facilitate allocation of resources, (4) build and maintain collaborative partnerships, (5) promote nonprofessional support and relationships, (6) promote access and opportunity for student success, and (7) coordinate program improvement activities. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)

The Office of Disability Employment Policy website describes ODEP's youth initiatives and provides links to transition-related resources.

Read about Poppin' Joe's, a successful self-employment enterprise, on this month's DynaVox blog.

Q & A on Employment: Customized Employment for People with Physical Disabilities addresses a number of questions about customizing jobs for people with physical disabilities.

An Exploratory Study of the Elements of Successful Service Dog Partnerships in the Workplace by Margaret K. Glenn identifies 68 elements that stakeholders perceived and rated to be important or highly important to successful service dog partnerships in the workplace.

Promoting Integrated Employment: Lessons Learned from States' Efforts to Transform Their Employment Service Systems for People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities "describes five states' efforts to increase integrated employment among individuals with IDDs, discusses barriers that have hindered states' progress toward expanding integrated employment outcomes, and highlights lessons learned that can help other states advance their efforts transforming their employment service systems."

EARN recently published brief guides on how to conduct a job analysis and write a job description.

Self-employment for Individuals with Disabilities is an archived webinar offering an overview of self-employment for individuals with a disability and tips on how to structure a home-based business.

Evidence-Based Practices for Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder [PDF] is now available from the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Scientists at UNC's Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute spearheaded the project, screening 29,000 articles about autism spectrum disorders to locate the soundest research on interventions for children from birth to age 22. The report provides guidance for both parents and professionals.

The National Snapshot of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in the Labor Force [PDF] reports findings of a study documenting the employment situation of working-aged adults with intellectual disabilities across the country.

Research Report: Vocational Rehabilitation Transition Services in Rural Areas by R. Goe and C. Ipsen presents findings from interviews with vocational rehabilitation counselors, supervisors, and administrators regarding rural transition service delivery.

Inclusive Postsecondary Education: Reimagining the Transition Trajectories of Vocational Rehabilitation Clients with Intellectual Disabilities by K.K. Yamamoto, R. A. Stodden, and E. D.R. Folk (Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 40(1), 59-71) highlights how one VR agency assumed a leading role in the transition of students with ID into PSE through participation in a model demonstration based around three evidence-based practices: interagency team processes, person- centered planning, and provision of essential PSE supports (educational coaches). (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)

 Earnings and Disability Program Participation of Youth Transition Demonstration Participants After 24 Months  by J. Hemmeter (Social Security Bulletin,  74(1), 1-25) evaluates employment and SSA disability program payment outcomes for young adults participating in SSA's Youth Transition Demonstration project. YTD participants received extra employment-related and other transition supports.

What You Need to Know about Assistive Technology but Didn't Know Who to Ask [Video] is an 80-minute archived presentation highlighting assistive and cognitive support technologies, resources to locate products and services, and the process for identifying the AT needs of individuals with a variety of disabilities. Individual slides from the presentation are also available.

The new VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Employment of People with Physical Disabilities website provides information on training and resources including fact sheets, research briefs, examples of job accommodations, and a research database on topics related to employment of people with physical disabilities.

Workforce System Strategies  is a searchable website designed to share evidence-based research and tools with workforce practitioners.

Have you accessed your Portal today?

Visit the TACE Transition Services web site. In the "Login For" section on the left-hand side of your screen, select "Counselor" or "Coordinator." This will take you to the "Login to MyTACE Account" page. You will use your MyTACE Account to register for available events, seek applicable credit, and access your specialized portal - Transition Services Counselor or Coordinator. 

Attended a TACE Webinar? You may already have created a MyTACE Account. If you have a MyTACE Account, email tacesoutheast@law.syr.edu and request to join the TACE Transition Network. If you don't already have a MyTACE account, follow the instructions to "Create a New MyTACE Account" and also apply for Portal access.