Differences Between Public and Private Rehabilitation Services & the Professionals Who Staff Them
Historically master's level programs in rehabilitation counseling produced trained graduates, many of whom became employed in state Divisions of Vocational Rehabilitation. In recent years an increased number of these experienced public sector counselors have switched from public to private sector employment which offers better salary incentives, training opportunities, smaller caseloads and a new sense of professional esteem. Some difficulty in job adjustment was reported by the seven counselors interviewed because of the differing philosophies and practices found in private rehabilitation companies. Despite these detriments, the trend away from the public sector is expected to continue as government budgetary cutbacks progress. Public agencies may need to develop and re-emphasize employment incentives to stall the exodus of trained counselors from the public to private sector of rehabilitation.