Indiana Pre-ETS
Needs Assessment
We spent months connecting with Pre-ETS stakeholders around Indiana to find out what’s working well and what could be improved. Below, you can read the full report or browse the highlights to find out what we learned.
Want to Read the Full Report?
This webpage summarizes the key findings from our needs assessment on Pre-ETS in Indiana.
But we hope you’ll read the full report too!
It includes much more detail, information, and recommendations that we couldn’t fit on this webpage.
Key Findings from the Report
The Indiana Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) contracted with PCG-Indiana, Inc. to conduct a Pre-ETS Needs Assessment to better understand programmatic strengths and challenges.
In general, the assessment found BRS and its partners provide high-quality Pre-ETS that responds to students’ needs. But there were also opportunities for improvement. You can find a complete breakdown in the full report. Below are some highlights.
Program Strengths
The data we collected indicates pockets of excellence in Pre-ETS programming across Indiana. Participants in the needs assessment identified the following strengths.
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Providers are happy with the communications they receive from educators and Youth Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (YVRC)
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Many caregivers find it easy to enroll their child/children into Pre-ETS. They do not report any significant barriers.
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When providers have help from educators with recruitment and data sharing, their students show greater involvement in Pre-ETS.
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Providers said that students with high support needs or significant disabilities can create flexible schedules. These schedules make it easier for them to participate in Pre-ETS activities.
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According to providers and educators, when the school offers designated space to the career coach, Pre-ETS activities are more accessible to students.
Notable Barriers
Our data also revealed some consistent challenges in Pre-ETS programs around the state. Below are some of the barriers that respondents detailed.
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Many parents and students do not know enough about Pre-ETS. Parents shared that they do not fully understand the benefits of the program. Educators said they did not have recruitment materials to explain the benefits of Pre-ETS to parents and students.
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Multiple stakeholders were unsure who is responsible for referring Pre-ETS students to traditional Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). Parents shared that the entire referral process seemed confusing and chaotic.
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According to providers, the most frequent reason Pre-ETS students are not available is that diploma-track students cannot leave class. Parents confirmed they're reluctant to have their children taken out of class. Parents would rather Pre-ETS happen during fall and summer breaks.
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With frequent turnover, providers often experience gaps in coverage. As a result, students do not receive any services. Lack of staff creates multiple barriers, from teacher referrals to students’ participation in activities.
What Comes Next?
Based on the findings in the report, we developed some recommendations for what BRS could do to address the needs of Pre-ETS students. We also included project activities that address the identified recommendations below.
1. Improve Coordination and Communication Across Partners
Report Recommendations
Develop and distribute Indiana-branded Pre-ETS education and outreach materials.
Improve coordination practices through multiple support tiers.
Work with the Pre-ETS Subcommittee of the Transition Advisory Council to decide on a consistent approach for changes.
Project Activities
PCG is developing and will distribute Indiana-branded Pre-ETS education and outreach materials.
PCG will collaborate with IN VR to host a community of practice focused on improving communication and coordination.
PCG is working with the Transition Advisory Council and the Pre-ETS Subcommittee to get feedback on materials developed in response to various needs.
2. Document and Disseminate Best Practices
Report Recommendations
Develop and provide universal (statewide), targeted (Communities of Practice), and intensive (coaching) training and technical assistance.
Provide technical assistance that helps Indiana practitioners build capacity.
Use the Level Up infrastructure to document and share successful Pre-ETS practices.
Project Activities
PCG has developed and continues to expand universal (statewide), targeted (Communities of Practice), and intensive (coaching) training and technical assistance.
This technical assistance supports Indiana practitioners in various ways, including by helping them build capacity.
PCG co-facilitates various Communities of Practice with IN BRS that document and share successful Pre-ETS practices.
3. Fill Identified Gaps
Report Recommendations
Identify and disseminate standard curriculum for implementation.
Increase dual enrollment and referrals to the traditional VR program.
Increase engagement of diploma track students.
Project Activities
PCG is currently developing a list of standard curricula and will work with IN BRS and Pre-ETS stakeholders to finalize that list.
PCG worked with IN BRS to facilitate Communities of Practice on Pre-ETS and VR and dual enrollment and engaging diploma-track students.
How Did We Create the Needs Assessment?
We collected information for the needs assessment in two ways. First, we looked at data from the Indiana Bureau of Rehabilitation Services. Then, we talked to Pre-ETS stakeholders through online surveys, focus groups, and interviews. Together, this information gave us a picture of the current state of Pre-ETS in Indiana.
Data Analysis
We collected de-identified data from past and current Pre-ETS cases and other studies. Then, we analyzed that data to see the current state of Pre-ETS.
Listening Sessions
Four groups shared their thoughts on Pre-ETS during online and in person listening sessions: Pre-ETS providers, students, teachers and school staff, and youth Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors.
Focus Groups and Interviews
Key stakeholders participated in focus groups and one-on-one interviews. These sessions helped explain key aspects of the survey that needed more context or detail. This focused information complemented the broad perspective of the survey.
Statewide Survey
We invited over 7,000 stakeholders from around Indiana to complete our survey on Pre-ETS. Together, their answers gave us a complete picture on services for people throughout the entire state.
Final Report
Once all the analyses, interviews, focus groups, and surveys were finished, we combined what we learned into a final report. This report includes key steps that will help improve the Pre-ETS program for everyone.
Please contact us if you have any questions about the needs assessment or how we completed it.
You can email invrpre-etstraining@pcgus.com or click the button below to submit a question.
