A Qualitative Study of Job Placement Provider Decisions in Vocational Rehabilitation

Abstract

A modified consensual qualitative research approach was taken to determine factors that influence job placement services in selected state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies. Thirty-five counselors, supervisors, and administrators participated in semistructured interviews on job placement and how they determine whether the counselor or another professional (e.g., in-house placement specialist, community rehabilitation provider) provides the direct service. Results indicated that several factors were noted by at least half of the participants, including anticipated intensity of services needed by the client, counselor caseload size/available time, existing employer relationships, availability of a placement service provider, and placement skills. Results highlight the impact of consistently high client volume on placement services, particularly for individuals with the most significant disabilities. Implications related to the current state of policy and practice for placement services, as well as potential future directions, are discussed.

Effectiveness of a Business Development Training for Rehabilitation Counselors Who Work With Consumers Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

“…With the passage of the WIOA legislation, there is an expectation that counselors will be more involved in business development activities than in the past. Previous research has documented the lack of comfort some counselors have with job development and working with employers (Fleming et al, 2014; Schultz, 2008), and that was confirmed with counselors in the present study. Agencies should evaluate how much support they are providing to counselors for business development activities and ensure that their level of support is adequate for their expectations related to business engagement.…”

“…Despite the fact that a majority of agencies currently employ business relations specialists (i.e., staff whose primary role is to interact with businesses), most counselors are also responsible for business development activities (Haines et al, 2018; McDonnall, 2017). Even though working with businesses is an essential job function, some counselors are uncomfortable about interacting with employers (McDonnall, 2014; Fleming, Phillips, Kaseroff, & Huck, 2014; Schultz, 2008).…”

“…Lack of time due to large caseload sizes and other responsibilities is one of the major barriers to engaging with business for counselors (Fleming et al, 2014; McDonnall, 2017). Lack of business development knowledge and skills and lack of experience in interacting with employers also prevent counselors from working with business (Fleming et al, 2014; McDonnall, 2017).…”

“…Lack of time due to large caseload sizes and other responsibilities is one of the major barriers to engaging with business for counselors (Fleming et al, 2014; McDonnall, 2017). Lack of business development knowledge and skills and lack of experience in interacting with employers also prevent counselors from working with business (Fleming et al, 2014; McDonnall, 2017). Research has documented a lack of counselor preparation and a need for more training in developing employer relationships (Chan et al, 2003; Froehlich & Linkowski, 2002; Lewis & Patterson, 1998).…”

Methodological application of multiple case study design using modified consensual qualitative research (CQR) analysis to identify best practices and organizational factors in the public rehabilitation program

“…Qualitative researchers typically: (a) involve participants in the data collection process; (b) ensure that data are collected in a naturalistic setting with researchers and participants interacting in a face-to-face manner; (c) recognize researchers as the key data collection "instruments"; (d) include multiple sources of data in the analysis; (e) consider the research process to be emergent and therefore conduct data analysis inductively; (f) are concerned with the meaning participants hold regarding the issue under study; (g) interpret what they see, hear, and understand; and (h) try to develop a complex picture of the issue (Creswell, 2007;Denzin & Lincoln, 2005). Qualitative approaches traditionally used in research include narrative, phenomenological, grounded theory, ethnographic studies, and case studies; although CQR methodology is now also being utilized by rehabilitation researchers (Fleming, Phillips, Kaseroff, & Huck, 2014). There are often commonalities between qualitative methods and the approaches noted here are intended to provide a basic overview rather than underscore distinctiveness from quantitative methods.…”