Policy Briefs

CAPE-Youth has produced a number of policy briefs on key topic areas, to guide state policymakers in better supporting youth and young adults with disabilities in their transitions to employment and/or post-secondary education. These include:

This brief is the second part of a two-part series; it focuses specifically on how states can design programs, policies and services to meet the needs of Y&YADs with intersecting identities. A companion brief discusses how states can implement the programs and policies they have developed.

This document outlines five evidence-based activities that contribute to better transition incomes for Y&YADs. It therefore serves as a framework for policymakers and practitioners to consider in developing policies and programs that support Y&YADs in their transitions to employment or post-secondary education.

This document provides policy considerations for improving assistance to justice-involved Y&YADs by implementing comprehensive support and services within the education, employment and justice systems. These considerations were developed based on a roundtable hosted by the White House Office of Public Engagement.

This brief provides state strategies to expand inclusive apprenticeships as a way to increase labor force participation rates and lower unemployment rates for Y&YADs. By creating and fostering accessible and inclusive apprenticeships, states can increase opportunities for Y&YADs and encourage economic growth.

This brief discusses how states can implement programs to meet the unique needs, and leverage the unique strengths, of Y&YADs who have other intersecting identities (e.g., who belong to a racial minority group or who have involvement with the justice system).

This brief describes adaptations used by states to respond to challenges that students with disabilities face in participating in and completing career and technical education (CTE) in general and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This brief outlines how states can implement trauma-informed practices into their workforce and other youth-serving systems to facilitate the recovery of youth and young adults with disabilities from trauma that they experience (including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic) and to mitigate the effects of that trauma on their employment outcomes.

This brief indicates how elements of coordinated specialty care service delivery, including supported employment and education, can be funded using traditional sources and alternative options to support youth experiencing a first episode of psychosis and contribute to their long-term success (including around employment).

This brief outlines state-level strategies policymakers and program administrators can utilize to support youth and young adults with disabilities in securing employment and reemployment throughout and following the COVID-19 economic recession, including capitalizing on federal funds and increasing access to employment services.