Scaling Out Virtual Interview Training for Transition Age Youth: A Quasi-Experimental Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Study
RATIONAL, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES
In a previous randomized controlled trial (RCT), Virtual Interview Training for Transition Age Youth (VIT-TAY) enhanced employment for autistic youth receiving transition services. For this study, a non-randomized hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial evaluated whether VIT-TAY maintained its core implementation and effectiveness functions when scaled out to students with disabilities in 32 schools. Also, we compared the implementation and effectiveness between VIT-TAY and Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT; developed for adults and previously evaluated in students with disabilities).
METHODS
The present study compared the implementation and effectiveness between the published evaluation of VR-JIT in 15 schools with n = 279 students with disabilities, and our current delivery of VIT-TAY in 32 schools with n = 356 students with disabilities.
RESULTS
Core implementation functions did not differ between VIT-TAY and VR-JIT. Greater engagement with either training was significantly associated with employment (both p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, VIT-TAY was feasibly implemented with high adherence, and may be effective at enhancing employment for students with disabilities.
