The Council of Accreditation in Counseling and Related Educational Programs (2009) Standards emphasize the assessment of student learning outcomes (SLOs) regarding program-specific knowledge, skills, and practice. The skills and practice dimensions for each program's standards may prove challenging for online and hybrid programs to assess, given that the ability to observe students' counseling skills can be limited within a distance learning environment. Using one hybrid-based mental health counseling program's as a case example, the authors provide recommendations for distance learning programs that are working to address gaps in assessing SLOs related to counseling skills.

<p>Keywords: attitudes, staff, sexuality, sexual behavior, relationships, developmental disabilities</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Background: Attitudes that paid residential caregivers have about the sexuality of clients with developmental disabilities may impact adequate and appropriate care as well as the rights of clients in residential settings. The purpose of the study was to develop two surveys to assess attitudes and intended behaviors of staff who work with individuals with developmental disabilities.</p><p>Materials &amp; Methods: A survey to measure attitudes and one to measure behavior were developed, piloted, and validated through a test-retest process and use of a previously developed survey that contained language that was dated and inconsistent.</p><p>Results: Both surveys were found to be reliable and valid, and attitudes and intended behaviors were found to be significantly correlated.</p><p>Conclusions: The development of reliable and valid tools to assess attitudes and intended behaviors of caregivers is important for establishing appropriate training, policy, and procedures for handling sexuality-related issues with clients with developmental disabilities.</p>

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Serious mental illness (SMI) affects 5% of the United States population and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and use of high-cost healthcare services including hospitalizations and emergency department visits. Integrating behavioral and physical healthcare may improve care for consumers with SMI, but prior research findings have been mixed. This quantitative retrospective cohort study assessed whether there was a predictive relationship between integrated healthcare clinic enrollment and inpatient and emergency department utilization for consumers with SMI when controlling for demographic characteristics and disease severity. While findings indicated no statistically significant impact of integrated care clinic enrollment on utilization, the sample had lower levels of utilization than would have been expected. Since policy and payment structures continue to support integrated care models, further research on different programs are encouraged, as each setting and practice pattern is unique.

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