Stronger Together: Interagency Collaboration

Stronger Together: How Interagency Collaboration Transforms Youth Transitions

Michelle Yin, PhD
Research and Innovation for Social and Economic Inclusion (RISEI) Lab, Northwestern University
Published on the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM)
Yin, M. (2025)

36%

YWD employment rate (vs 46% without disabilities)

More likely employed with coordinated services

<18%

Bachelor's degree attainment for YWD

50%

VR agencies cite lack of coordination as barrier

10%

Maine YWD access VR (vs 5% national)

Key Findings

Youth with coordinated multi-agency services are twice as likely to be employed within two years of receiving transition services compared to those served by a single agency.
Nearly half of VR agencies cite lack of cross-agency coordination as a major barrier to effective transition service delivery for youth with disabilities.
Only 36% of youth with disabilities aged 14–24 are employed, compared to 46% of their peers without disabilities—a persistent 10-percentage-point gap.
Fewer than 18% of youth with disabilities complete a bachelor's degree, compared to 32% of their peers without disabilities.
Only 18 states have fully integrated data systems that track youth outcomes across education, vocational rehabilitation, and workforce agencies.
Among Maine youth with disabilities, 56% report job loss due to disability, and 40% need government assistance to meet basic living expenses.
Maine's Work-Based Learning Pilot demonstrated that stronger agency collaboration leads to measurably better employment outcomes for transition-age youth.

Maine Case Study: Building Interagency Infrastructure

A timeline of key policy milestones driving collaborative transition services in Maine

Maine vs. National: Youth with Disabilities

Key indicators comparing outcomes for transition-age youth with disabilities

Indicator	Maine	National
Employment rate (YWD ages 14–24)	36%	36%
Report job loss due to disability	56%	—
Need government assistance	40%	—
YWD accessing VR services	10%	5%
Bachelor's degree completion (YWD)	<18%	<18%

Policy Recommendations

Formalize interagency agreements — Establish memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between VR, education, and workforce agencies to define shared goals, roles, and accountability for transition outcomes.
Strengthen workforce development pipelines — Expand work-based learning experiences, apprenticeships, and employer partnerships that connect youth with disabilities to competitive integrated employment.
Invest in data-sharing infrastructure — Build integrated data systems across agencies to track longitudinal outcomes, identify service gaps, and support evidence-based decision making.
Align funding streams across agencies — Coordinate federal, state, and local funding to reduce duplication, maximize resources, and create braided funding models that support seamless service delivery.
Expand cross-agency professional training — Develop joint training programs for VR counselors, special educators, and workforce professionals to build shared competencies in transition service delivery.
Strengthen family and youth outreach — Increase awareness of available services and rights among families and youth with disabilities, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
Develop a benefits counseling framework — Provide comprehensive benefits planning and counseling to help youth and families navigate the intersection of employment income and public benefits.

Citation

Yin, M. (2025). Stronger Together: How Interagency Collaboration Transforms Youth Transitions. Research and Innovation for Social and Economic Inclusion (RISEI) Lab, Northwestern University. Published on the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM).

Funding Acknowledgment

This publication was developed under Grant H421E230028 from the U.S. Department of Education. The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and endorsement by the Federal Government should not be assumed.