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Knowledge Translation for Employment Research: State of the Science Conference Track

We offered a Knowledge Translation for Employment Research State of the Science Conference Track at the Summit Conference 2019. This was made possible through partnership with the Center on Knowledge Translation for Employment Research (KTER Center) and the American Institutes for Research (AIR).

Highlights of this special conference track included:

  • Keynote luncheon presentation by Dr. Maureen Dobbins, McMaster University, on knowledge brokering.
  • The latest findings from the KTER Center’s studies on knowledge brokering in vocational rehabilitation contexts, with a focus on promoting the use of research that can catalyze the employment outcomes of adults with autism and transition-aged youth with disabilities in vocational rehabilitation settings.
  • A workshop on the Knowledge to Action (KTA) framework (Graham et al., 2006) allowed participants to practice applying this framework to developing KT activities appropriate for the vocational rehabilitation context.
  • NIDILRR-funded researchers shared their cutting-edge research on employment outcomes for people with disabilities.

Download KTER Track Information

The KTER Center develops and tests knowledge translation strategies designed to help vocational rehabilitation agencies and businesses find, understand, and use research related to employing people with disabilities.

AIR’s mission is to conduct and apply the best behavioral and social science research and evaluation towards improving people's lives, with a special emphasis on the disadvantaged.

The KTER Center’s 2019 State of the Science Conference on Employment Research is developed under grant number 90DP0077 from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this Conference do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Learn more about NIDILLR.

The KTER State of the Science Conference Track is as Follows:

September 5, 2019 KTER State of the Science - CT/RI Room

9:45 -11 am - Presentations (75 min) Knowledge Brokering in Vocational Rehabilitation Agency Contexts

Presenter: Kathleen M. Murphy (Center on Knowledge Translation for Employment Research, KTER Center)

This presentation summarizes results from the KTER Center's intervention study of knowledge brokering in vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies. KTER trained staff who supervised at least 4 VR counselors—and so were in a position to act as knowledge brokers—in either pre-employment transition services or the employment of adults with autism. KTER staff followed the knowledge brokers for 6 months, and collected survey data from study participants, their staff, and a control group of supervisors and their staff, to measure impact on changes in attitudes toward and use of research on-the-job.

11:15 am - 12:15 pm - Roundtables (60 min) Round Table: Knowledge Brokering – Where Should the Field Go Next?

Facilitators: Kathleen M. Murphy, Joann Starks (KTER Center)

Reaction/discussion session to previous KTER presentation on knowledge brokering.

12:30 - 1:45 pm - Working Lunch with Speaker Knowledge Brokering as an Evidence-Based Strategy

Speaker: Kathleen Maureen Dobbins, School of Nursing, Mc Master University

This keynote presentation provides an overview of knowledge brokering as a comprehensive strategy to develop capacity for trainees and to support change in the work setting. Dr. Dobbins will share the results of her many years of research in this topic and will examine its application in the VR context in the US.

2:00 - 3:00 pm - Presentation (60 min) Using Employment Research Findings in VR (1)

Speaker: TBA

Invited speakers (to be confirmed) will share their research results from projects focusing on Employment Research and will discuss the application of research findings in the VR context. Projects represented are funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).

3:15 - 4:30 pm - Presentation (75 min) Using Employment Research Findings in VR (2)

Speaker: TBA

Invited speakers (to be confirmed) will share their research results from projects focusing on Employment Research and will discuss the application of research findings in the VR context. Projects represented are funded by NIDILRR.

September 6, 2019 KTER State of the Science - CT/RI Room

9:45 -11 am - Presentations (75 min) Using Knowledge Translation Models in Disability Employment Research

Presenter: Kathleen Ann Outlaw (Center on Knowledge Translation for Employment Research, KTER Center)

Participants will learn concepts underpinning knowledge translation (KT) to move conceptual discoveries from scientific research into practice by improving the relevance and application of research. Following an introduction to the Knowledge to Action (KTA) framework, participants will practice applying this framework to developing a KT project for the VR context.

11:15 am - 12:15 pm - Roundtables (60 min) Round Table: Knowledge Brokering – Where Should the Field Go Next?

Facilitators: Ann Outlaw, Joann Starks (KTER Center)

Reaction/discussion session to the previous KTER session on KT and its application in VR contexts.

2:00 - 3:00 pm - Presentation (75 min) National Employment Team Members: Supporting Vocational Rehabilitation's Outreach to Businesses

Speaker: Kathleen M. Murphy (Center on Knowledge Translation for Employment Research, KTER Center)

This presentation will summarize results from the KTER Center's research with members of the Council on State Administrators on Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR)'s National Employment Team (the "NET"). KTER conducted a training needs assessment and scoping review on studies of efforts VR has made to reach out to business, with findings informing a training and follow-up support for NET members on how to function as knowledge brokers in their domains: raising awareness among other staff and employers about how VR can support the needs of business.

3:15 - 4:30 pm - Presentation (75 min) Using Employment Research Findings in VR (3)

Speaker: TBA

Invited speakers (to be confirmed) will share their research results from projects focusing on Employment Research and will discuss the application of research findings in the VR context. Projects represented are funded by NIDILRR.

This event is provided with support from the Program Evaluation and Quality Assurance Technical Assistance Center (PEQA-TAC) grant from the Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) award number PR#H263B150004. The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

Attendees join presentations and participate in Roundtable Discussions around topics such as:

  • Lean and Six Sigma

    Process improvement using Lean and Six Sigma in government

  • Capstone Project

    Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment for Pre-ETS – an Evaluation (Capstone project)

  • Outcomes

    Post-High School Outcomes for Transition Students in Illinois

  • Quality Improvement

    Turning Customer Satisfaction Into Quality Improvement

  • Data Visualization

    Building a Data Attitude Through Data Visualization

  • Accessibility

    Prioritizing Accessibility in Maine's Workforce System (presented by Labor/Workforce representatives and VR representatives)

  • Online VR Evaluation

    Examples of VR Program Uses of the online VR Evaluation Coach

  • Learning Experiences

    Work-Based Learning Experiences: Models and Early Lessons

  • Consumer Process

    Keeping Consumer Voice in the Process

  • ROI

    Return On Investment – Virginia and Maryland Results

Tuesday, September 4

10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Registration/Sign-In

1:00 - 1:30 pm
Blessing Ceremony by Native American Representative

1:30 - 5:30 pm
WINTAC (Workforce Innovation Training and Technical Assistance Center) Presentations

2:30 - 4:30 pm
PEQA Advanced Workshop

Wednesday, September 5

7:30 - 8:30 am
Registration/Sign-In

8:30 - 6:00 pm
Poster Sessions

8:00 - 8:30 am
Welcome to Oklahoma: The Significance of Native American Ceremonial Attire

8:30 -10:00 am
Keynote: Panel Presentation by Oklahoma WIOA Core Partners - Shared Services and Partnerships

10:00 - 10:30 am
Break – Networking

10:30 - 11:45 am
Conference Presentations

11:45 am - 1:00 pm
Lunch

1:00 - 2:15 pm
Plenary Sessions – Rehabilitation Services Administration Staff Presentations

2:30 - 3:30 pm
Roundtable Conversations

3:45 - 5:00 pm
Conference Presentations

Thursday, September 6

7:30 - 8:30 am
Registration and Information

7:30 am - 1:00 pm
Poster Sessions

8:00 - 9:30 am
Plenary Sessions

  • Portland, Maine: Summit/PEQA Conference 2019
  • Summit Navigators Report
  • Keynote: Elizabeth Jennings, “Hope: A Strategy”

9:30 - 10:00 am
Break

10:30 - 11:30 am
Roundtable Conversations

11:30 am - 1:00 pm
VR Evaluation Coach – Panel Presentation by Mathematica Policy Research and VR programs

1:15 - 2:45 pm
Conference Presentations

3:00 - 4:00 pm
Wrap-up and Goodbye

Agenda at a Glance

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