VCU RRTC

09/07/2026

📅 Join us on September 10 for Building Communication: Practical Tools for Counselors, Schools, and Families.

Clear communication is key to building strong partnerships and coordinating transition services for students. This brief webcast will explore common communication challenges and share practical strategies for defining roles, setting expectations, documenting decisions, and improving communication among counselors, schools, families, providers, vendors, and employers.

September 10, 2026
2:00 to 2:10 p.m. Eastern Time

Presented by Dawn Mosley, M.S., CRC, Pre-ETS Facilitator, VCU, and Diara Seruby, Pre-ETS Facilitator, VCU-RRTC.

✅ Registration is free, but required.

Register today:
https://iraca.vcurrtc.org/training/webcasts/webcastDetails.cfm/1822

09/04/2026

📅 Join us on September 8 for Building Coordination: A Collaborative Approach to VR Transition Services and Student Success.

Strong coordination can help vocational rehabilitation counselors connect students with transition services that support their goals after high school. This brief webcast will share practical ways to work with students, families, schools, community providers, employers, and other VR professionals to improve communication, clarify roles, coordinate services, and support student success.

September 8, 2026
2:00 to 2:10 p.m. Eastern Time

Presented by Dawn Mosley, M.S., CRC, Pre-ETS Facilitator, VCU, and Diara Seruby.

✅ Registration is free, but required.

Register today:
https://iraca.vcurrtc.org/training/webcasts/webcastDetails.cfm/1821

09/03/2026

Transition-age youth who are blind, deaf-blind, or have low vision face unique systemic barriers that contribute to a staggering 45% unemployment rate within the community. In Part 1 of this episode of Evidence to Employment, host Carolyn Cage sits down with Dr. Rachel McDonald-Hurford, Research Lead at VCU-RRTC on Transition, to discuss how early work-based learning and mentorship can alter career trajectories and dismantle workplace stigma. Drawing on her own lived experience, Dr. McDonald-Hurford shares insights from VCU’s 9-month peer mentoring program, introduces "MediaVoice," an innovative participatory research tool that empowers youth as co-researchers, and outlines simple universal design practices for accessible digital communication.

Listen to Part 1 and explore the research on https://transition.vcurrtc.org/resources/podcast.cfm

09/02/2026

Project SEARCH St Francis Class of 2027 has gotten off to a very busy start with workshop days before their internships begin. 🫶

📝 Class of 2027
Sitting is Mary and Xanath
Left to right - Will, Najla, Noe and Kamalh

09/01/2026

🏆 PROJECT SEARCH TEAM EARNS EXCELLENT OUTCOMES AWARD 🏆

Congratulations are in order for our Project SEARCH leader team, Nancy, Julie, and Cindy whose leadership has earned recognition from Project SEARCH at the national level for Excellent Employment Outcomes for the 2024-25 cohort of interns here at
St Francis. 70% or more of last year's interns achieved competitive, integrated employment, meeting all the Project SEARCH criteria.

Their achievement was announced at a special ceremony on July 14th at the 19th Annual Project SEARCH Conference in St. Louis, MO. While the team wasn't able to be present, they were applauded for the outstanding work that we're privileged to see unfold year after year. Way to go, Project SEARCH Team!

Thank you for all you do to help Project SEARCH Interns achieve success!

09/01/2026

📣 Building Productive Partnerships in the Vocational Rehabilitation Process

Communication, collaboration, and coordination are essential to successful partnerships.

Join Dawn Mosley, M.S., CRC, Pre-ETS Facilitator, VCU for a webcast exploring ways to enhance communication, coordination, and collaboration among stakeholders in the Vocational Rehabilitation process.

The webcast will identify common barriers and practical strategies to enhance service delivery and share tips for building strong, successful partnerships.

📅 September 3, 2026
🕑 2:00–2:45 p.m. Eastern

Registration is free but required.

🔗 Register Now: https://iraca.vcurrtc.org/training/webcasts/

08/28/2026

Many adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) want to work, but families often need support navigating employment services and opportunities. The Employment Pathways Project tested whether parent-to-parent mentorship could help families support employment goals for their family member with IDD. Check out this Brand New Infograhic from RRTC-IDD Research Study 1.

Download the infographic: https://idd.vcurrtc.org/resources/content.cfm/2497

08/28/2026

Congratulations to one of our own, Dr. Carol Schall!

The 2026 NIRA and PEIA awardees elevate VCU’s reputation and the student learning experience.

08/26/2026

While transition specialists coordinate day-to-day services, school leaders hold the key to removing systemic barriers and creating real access for students with disabilities.

Join us for a free virtual webcast: "Strengthening Transition Outcomes: The Administrator's Role in Pre-ETS Implementation," presented by experts Dawn Mosley (VCU-RRTC), Diara Seruby (VCU-RRTC), and Patti Hodge (VA DARS). Drawing from a successful three-year partnership between VCU and the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), this session delivers practical strategies to bridge the gap between high school and competitive employment.

💡Learn:

How to embed Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) into school schedules without sacrificing core academics.

Actionable solutions for transportation, scheduling, and communication barriers.

Ways to leverage community events and family networks to expand service reach.

🗓️ Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026

⏰ Time: 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM ET

🎟️ Cost: FREE (Registration required)

👉 Regiser to join: https://preets.vcurrtc.org/resources/webcasts/details.cfm/1804

08/24/2026

‼️ 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞: Evidence-Based Practices to Teach Students with ASD

𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟒 - 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

This course is designed to provide educators with skills and knowledge to instruct students with ASD in the educational setting. The course provides an overview of the importance of good instruction, appropriate skill selection, and evidence-based practices. A focus of the course will surround the "foundational five" evidence-based practices. The "foundational five" include: antecedent-based interventions, visual supports, systematic instruction, and interventions to promote social and communications skills.

Learn more and register today!
https://vcuautismcenter.org/te/courses/effectiveInstruction.cfm