CIRCLES: Building an interagency network for transition planning

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Povenmire-Kirk, Tiana C.^a | Test, David W.^{a; *} | Flowers, Claudia P.^a | Diegelmann, Karen M.^a | Bunch-Crump, Kimberly^a | Kemp-Inman, Amy^a | Goodnight, Crystalyn I.^b

Affiliations: [a] University of North Carolina Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA | [b] University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, USA

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Dr. David Test, Department of Special Education and Child Development, University of North Carolina Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223, USA. Tel.: +1 704  687 8853; Fax: +1 704 687 1625; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Best practices in transition planning include interagency collaboration during the planning process. While IDEA 2004 requires interagency collaboration in the IEP process, getting all the right people to the table can be difficult. OBJECTIVE:To investigate stakeholder perceptions of interagency collaboration resulting from Communicating Interagency Relationships and Collaborative Linkages for Exceptional Students (CIRCLES). METHODS:Using qualitative and quantitative methodologies, we explored stakeholders’ interagency collaboration experiences with CIRCLES. RESULTS:Data indicated high levels of interagency collaboration and satisfaction from students, parents, teachers, and agency personnel. CONCLUSIONS:CIRCLES may help transition personnel overcome many of the barriers to successful interagency collaboration.

Keywords: Transition, transition planning, youth with disabilities, interagency collaboration

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180953

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 45-57, 2018