Rehabilitation Counseling Practice in State Vocational Rehabilitation and the Effect of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 20-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fong Chan ◽  
Timothy N. Tansey ◽  
Julie Chronister ◽  
Brian T. McMahon ◽  
Kanako Iwanaga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Management ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Rehabilitation Counseling ◽  
The State ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Counseling Profession ◽  
Counseling Practice ◽  
The Future ◽  
Workforce Innovation ◽  
Counselor Preparedness

Purpose: This article includes a study that sheds light on the implications of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) mandated VR knowledge and skills requirements for VR counselors in the state VR program. It is also a commentary on current training, accreditation and intraprofessional challenges in the larger counseling field. Our study investigated VR directors’ perceptions of the importance and counselor preparedness in specific WIOA mandated knowledge areas. Findings revealed that VR directors consider WIOA mandated knowledge areas (e.g., employment-related and case management) to be very important, and they see room for improvement in the preparation of VR counselors to execute these functions. Our commentary provides readers with information related rehabilitation counseling history, intraprofessional practice, and guidelines for the future of rehabilitation counseling and the larger counseling profession.

Operationalizing Compassion in the VR Process

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 3-14
Author(s):  
James M. Grover
Keyword(s):  
Case Management ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Management System ◽  
Rehabilitation Counseling ◽  
Present Discussion ◽  
The Individual

Literature in recent years has defined a construct of Compassion (e.g., Goetz, Keltner, & Simon-Thomas, 2010), and acknowledged its application to fields of service for patients and clients (e.g., Halifax, 2011). The utility of its components has also been explored recently in the field of rehabilitation counseling, and Compassion training suggested as helpful to promoting effectiveness in the practice (Stuntzner, 2014). In the present discussion, it is suggested that subprocesses of the compassion construct, (a) “witnessing another’s suffering” that (b) “motivates a subsequent (c) desire to help,” are a natural fit for the evaluate-judge-respond (E-J-R) elements within the case management system of public vocational rehabilitation (VR). A view of collective, organizational compassion is also presented, that may be similarly considered a fit for the larger VR mission and case management system. In this larger context, organizational compassion may be seen as supporting compassion’s subprocesses as they function within VR’s operational elements. As parallels are evident, and benefits presented, implications of compassion’s cultivation are suggested for the individual VR counselor, as well as the VR organization as a whole.

What Rehabilitation Counselors Should Know About the Prescription Privileges Initiative for Psychologists

2005 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-23
Author(s):  
James M. Ferrin ◽  
Tim Tansey ◽  
Gloria K. Lee ◽  
Linda Leech ◽  
Michael Frain
Keyword(s):  
Rehabilitation Counseling ◽  
State Legislatures ◽  
Psychotropic Medications ◽  
Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
Prescription Privileges ◽  
Prescriptive Authority ◽  
Counseling Practice ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Way

Rehabilitation counselors need to be aware of a change on the horizon in the way psychotropic medications may be prescribed. A debate is ongoing in state legislatures on whether psychologists should have prescriptive authority over a limited formulary. Changes to existing prescription privilege statute may affect the future of rehabilitation practice as rehabilitation counselors may expand consultation regarding clients' medication schedules and monitoring from psychiatrists and physicians to include psychologists. This paper examines both the case for and against that right to prescribe, as well as the potential changes to rehabilitation counseling practice that result from granting psychologists the privilege to prescribe.

Brief Report: Participation Among Transition-Aged Youth With Traumatic Brain Injury in the State/Federal Vocational Rehabilitation System

2020 ◽  
pp. 003435522096710
Author(s):  
Charles Edmund Degeneffe ◽  
Mark Steven Tucker ◽  
Zaccheus James Ahonle
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
The State ◽  
Case Duration ◽  
Education Act ◽  
Disproportionate Number ◽  
Workforce Innovation

This study aimed to understand the level of participation among transition-aged youth with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the State/Federal Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) System in the context of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Case closures, case duration, and case expenditures in Federal fiscal years (FYs) 2014, 2015, and 2016 were examined among transition-aged youth (i.e., State VR clients under the age of 22 years at application) with TBI, autism spectrum order (ASD), and intellectual disability (ID), using a nonexperimental and descriptive design. A disproportionate number of transition-aged youth with ASD and ID had closed State VR cases compared with transition-aged youth with TBI. Alternatively, there were greater State VR case duration levels and case service expenditures for persons with TBI compared with those with ASD or ID. The disproportionate participation with State VR was consistent among these three groups via eligibility for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This article highlights areas of attention concerning transition-aged youth with TBI and will hopefully stimulate future dialogue, research, and policy development concerning participation with State VR for this population.

DSM-IV as an Information Resource in Rehabilitation Counseling

1999 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-15
Author(s):  
Alan Davis
Keyword(s):  
Case Management ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Rehabilitation Counseling ◽  
Conceptual Structure ◽  
Diagnostic Information ◽  
Information Resource ◽  
Psychiatric Disabilities ◽  
Developmental Needs ◽  
Dsm Iv

The DSM-IV is the most widely used source of diagnostic information pertaining to psychiatric disorders. The value of the DSM-IV in diagnosis, case management, and counselor education has been thoroughly documented. Despite the fact that psychiatric disabilities are represented in the field of vocational rehabilitation in growing numbers, applications of the DSM-IV in rehabilitation counseling have been slow to develop. This article illustrates important potential contributions of the DSM-IV in rehabilitation counseling, including conceptual structure for determining rehabilitation eligibility and needs, information necessary for diagnosis of co-existing disabilities, and insights into the developmental needs of consumers.

The Paradox of Empowerment

1995 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 59-61
Author(s):  
Robert A. Chubon
Keyword(s):  
Rehabilitation Counseling ◽  
Counseling Services ◽  
Counseling Profession ◽  
The Future

Notably absent in discussions of credentialing and related issues has been the need for obtaining feedback from recipients of rehabilitation counseling services. The implications of this omissionfor the future of the rehabilitation counseling profession are discussed.

Working With Business: Counselor Expectations, Actions, and Challenges

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele C. McDonnall
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Rehabilitation Counseling ◽  
Master's Programs ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Workforce Innovation ◽  
Almost All

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to (a) explore state-federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency expectations for counselor engagement with business, (b) determine what VR counselors are actually doing in terms of interacting with businesses, and © identify challenges VR counselors experience to working with business.Method:A mixed-methods approach, including both quantitative data from surveys and qualitative data from interviews, was used. Surveys were conducted with 47 VR agency administrators and 121 counselors, and interviews were conducted with 6 administrators and 19 counselors.Results:Almost all VR agencies had a clear expectation that counselors will engage with business, but the specific expectations varied by agency. Counselors spend approximately 20% of their time interacting with businesses, and most counselors reported providing one or more service to businesses on a regular basis. Challenges experienced by counselors were lack of time, lack of comfort, and lack of preparation to engage with business.Conclusion:Given the current expectations for business engagement and the increased importance of business engagement with the passage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (2015), it is vital that rehabilitation counseling master’s programs increase their focus on working with business.

Organizational Policies and Personnel Factors That Are Incentives for and Challenges to Collaboration as Identified by Statewide Transition Supervisors

2020 ◽  
pp. 104420732094354
Author(s):  
Kathleen Marie Oertle ◽  
Sheryl Bobroff ◽  
Caren L. Sax
Keyword(s):  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Rehabilitation Counseling ◽  
Transition Services ◽  
The United States ◽  
Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
Organizational Policies ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
Effective Collaboration ◽  
Workforce Innovation

In the United States, the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act (2004) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (2014) require special educators and vocational rehabilitation counselors to plan and coordinate transition services for students with disabilities. Regardless of the legislative mandates, major challenges remain for effective collaboration. The purpose of this study was to investigate statewide special education and vocational rehabilitation counseling transition supervisors’ insights on the policies that promote or present barriers to effective collaboration. Forty-eight statewide transition supervisors wrote a total of 175 comments that were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Organizational and personnel factors were identified, and specific examples of noteworthy indicators of collaboration are presented. Recommendations are offered to address the lack of policies and incentives for transition collaboration.

Rosa's Law and the Language of Disability: Implications for Rehabilitation Counseling

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 163-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Edmund Degeneffe ◽  
Jacylou Terciano
Keyword(s):  
Mental Retardation ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Rehabilitation Counseling ◽  
Government Printing ◽  
Counseling Profession ◽  
Counseling Practice ◽  
History Of ◽  
National Campaigns

National campaigns promoting the use of the term intellectual disability (ID) have culminated in the recent U.S. congressional passing of Rosa's Law. Rosa's Law changes how ID is referred to in federal disability programs by removing all references to the term, “mental retardation” (U.S Government Printing Office, October, 2010). Little is known about how the change in language will affect rehabilitation counseling practice and education. Accordingly, this article addresses the following: (a) history of the descriptors of ID, (b) the stigmatizing effects of terminology, (c) eliminating the use of the r-word through Rosa's Law, and (d) implications for the rehabilitation counseling profession.

Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Counseling: A Framework for the Future

1974 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-18
Author(s):  
Donald C. Linkowski
Keyword(s):  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Rehabilitation Counseling ◽  
Rehabilitation Services ◽  
Rehabilitation Programs ◽  
The Future ◽  
Comprehensive Rehabilitation

Comprehensive rehabilitation communities interactive with the mainstream of society are proposed as a way of improving the delivery of rehabilitation services for the future. Handicaps are viewed as environmental impediments which require deliberate redesign. The advocate role of counselors and needed changes in the structure of vocational rehabilitation programs are stressed.

The Professional Status of Rehabilitation Counseling in State/Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

1981 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 186-190
Author(s):  
Ross K. Lynch ◽  
Kathleen McSweeney
Keyword(s):  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Civil Service ◽  
Rehabilitation Counseling ◽  
The State ◽  
Career Ladder ◽  
Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
Professional Status ◽  
State Agencies ◽  
Educational Requirements ◽  
Licensure Requirements

Rehabilitation counseling in the State/Federal vocational rehabilitation agencies was empirically examined with respect to traditional professional status criteria. Sixty-eight administrators of State agencies were surveyed regarding hiring procedures, promotional procedures, certification and licensure, Civil Service classification, and employee unions. Results indicated that minimum educational requirements are variable, hiring is frequently based on subjective determinants, certification and licensure requirements are rarely employed and their future appears bleak, the career ladder for rehabilitation counselors is quite short, and there appears to be a large and expanding move toward unionism. Recommendations are presented for improvement of professional status with respect to the weaknesses identified.

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