Transition Solutions Core Team

Dr. Johnson's research interests include the postschool outcomes and status of young adults with disabilities, access to and participation of young adults with disabilities in postsecondary education programs, systems change and program improvement, and cost-benefit analysis. He has served as Principal Investigator and Director of numerous federal and state research, training, and demonstration projects on these and other topics.

Dr. Johnson has also served as consultant to several national, regional, and state organizations, including the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, the National School-to-Work Office, the Rehabilitation Services Administration, the National Alliance of Business, the Council for Exceptional Children, and several Congressional committees. He has published numerous journal articles, book chapters, research monographs, technical reports, and other products on topics related to secondary education, special education, rehabilitation, transition, school-to-work, and others.

Transition Solutions Area(s) of Expertise:
Strategic Planning

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Dr. Ness's work focuses on developing programs for and with American Indian high school and tribal college students to support their retention and goal completion. To that end, she has directed several federally-funded projects that address both the high school and college needs of American Indians. In 2003, Dr. Ness, along with her colleague Jennifer Huisken, co-authored Expanding the Circle: Respecting the Past, Preparing for the Future, a transition curriculum for American Indian students that addresses key skill areas to prepare them for higher education and work. The curriculum is currently being implemented in BIA schools, school districts, and tribal and community colleges throughout the country. Dr. Ness is a frequent speaker at state and national conferences on transition issues for American Indians.

Transition Solutions Area(s) of Expertise:
Preparation for Postsecondary Education, Post-High School Transition for Students with Disabilities and Native American Students

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Since coming to NCSET in 2002, Ms. Johnson has co-led the development of the National Alliance for Secondary Education and Transition (NASET) and facilitated the development of its Transition Toolkit, co-led the National Leadership Summits, managed Capacity Building Institutes and national teleconferences, and facilitated the U.S. Department of Education's Exiting Community of Practice.

Prior to her work with NCSET, Ms. Johnson served as Assistant Director for Disability Services at the University of Minnesota, where she managed several career development and leadership projects, frequently presented at state and national conferences, and supervised a staff of ten professionals and graduate students.

Ms. Johnson has consulted with American Express, U.S. West Communications, and PDI International on career development issues.

Transition Solutions Area(s) of Expertise:
Resource Mapping, Interagency Team Development

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Dr. Crane's work focuses on creating and expanding secondary education and transition systems for youth. Currently, she coordinates development and implementation of postschool improvement activities, including resource mapping, partnership development, and systems alignment.

Dr. Crane has developed major trainings and technical assistance institutes; authored and co-authored publications and training tools; and conducted numerous presentations and workshops on education- and workforce-related topics. Additionally, Dr. Crane is co-director of the National Alliance on Secondary Education and Transition, which developed the National Standards and Quality Indicators for Secondary Education and Transition. She has held various leadership positions in professional associations representing vocational special needs and transition.

Prior to joining TransCen, Inc., Dr. Crane worked for the National School-to-Work Office, where she collaborated with federal and state government agencies to ensure the inclusion of youth with disabilities in policy initiatives, including high school reform.

Transition Solutions Area(s) of Expertise:
Strategic Planning, Resource Mapping, Interagency Team Development

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At TransCen, Dr. Luecking is responsible for the implementation of numerous model demonstration and research projects related to school-to-work transition and the employment of individuals with disabilities. He and his colleagues have initiated a range of local programs that have been replicated throughout the U.S. As a result, he has provided training and technical assistance on transition and employment across the country.

Dr. Luecking is the author of numerous publications on transition and employment, has held leadership positions in various professional and educational associations and organizations, and has participated in a host of national initiatives to improve educational and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

From 1997-99, Dr. Luecking served as a temporary appointee to the National School-to-Work Office, where he was charged with promoting employer involvement in school-to-work initiatives nationwide. He has also held positions in rehabilitation, education, and program administration.

Transition Solutions Area(s) of Expertise:
Employment

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Ms. Hart has directed over 20 federal and state projects, including projects on access to and participation and progress in the general curriculum for students with disabilities, postsecondary education and employment outcomes for students with disabilities, the transition of youth with disabilities into adult life, and the inclusion of K-12 students with significant disabilities in all aspects of school life. She has also conducted training on universal design for learning and technology, media, and materials, and provided training and technical assistance on creating access to college for students with significant disabilities.

Ms. Hart has produced numerous training documents and published articles on creating access to postsecondary education for students with significant disabilities; the role of assistive and instructional technology; coordinating and managing services and supports in secondary, postsecondary, and employment settings; and strategies and instructional practices that help students with disabilities participate in school, college, and employment.

Transition Solutions Area(s) of Expertise:
Strategic Planning, Resource Mapping, Interagency Team Development

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Dr. Kiernan has more than 30 years of experience in the areas of employment training, public policy development, and organizational change. He has been Principal Investigator on a number of national research, training, and technical assistance centers addressing employment, systems change, service integration, recreation, transition, and inclusion. He has worked with many federal and state agencies addressing service integration and program development and has written extensively on topics including the employment of individuals with disabilities, workforce development, systems change, organizational development, and public policy development in adult services.

Dr. Kiernan has served as an international consultant in seven countries and has provided training and technical assistance in more than 45 states. He holds several national offices in professional and advocacy groups, and is Past President of the American Association on Mental Retardation.

Transition Solutions Area(s) of Expertise:
Data Collection and Analysis

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Dr. Stodden is recognized as a national leader in the conduct of training, technical assistance, and research on secondary education, transition, and postsecondary educational supports for persons with disabilities. Over the past 25 years, he has administered more than 100 research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination grant projects and has extensive experience working with other technical assistance providers across the country.

Dr. Stodden's experience includes national and international speaking engagements, consulting with more than 30 states, and working with most major federal agencies whose work impacts postschool outcomes for persons with disabilities. He currently serves on numerous association and editorial boards.

During the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1997, Dr. Stodden served as a Kennedy Senior Policy Fellow with the Disability Policy Subcommittee in the U.S. Senate, drafting and negotiating much of the transition service language found in the legislation.

Transition Solutions Area(s) of Expertise:
Postsecondary Education, Interagency Team Development

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