An Assessment of the Training Needs of State Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to identify the training needs of state vocational rehabilitation counselors. One hundred and sixty-seven vocational rehabilitation counselors completed the Rehabilitation Counseling Knowledge Inventory (Linkowski et al., 1993). The self-reported need for training across 10 components of rehabilitation counseling is described. A secondary purpose was to compare the self-perceived training needs of a sample of state vocational rehabilitation counselors with the self-perceived training needs of certified rehabilitation counselors (CRCs; Szymanski, Linkowski, Leahy, Diamond, & Thoreson, 1993a). The current sample reported significantly higher ratings of the need for training in foundations of rehabilitation, individual counseling and development, and assessment, whereas the CRC sample reported higher needs for training in the area of workers' compensation, employer services, and technology. A third purpose was to evaluate the relationship between counselor demographic variables and training needs. The highest earned degree was a significant predictor of perceived training need in the areas of group and family issues, foundations of rehabilitation, research, and individual counseling and development.

The Process and Experiences of Self-Employment Among People With Disabilities: A Qualitative Study

“…Increasing self-employment prowess will also provide VRCs and professionals with greater confidence in offering self-employment options to consumers, potentially increasing consumer satisfaction and self-employment closures. As stated by Ipsen, Arnold, and Colling (2005), Historically, VRCs have not been trained in small business development (Froehlich & Linkowski, 2002). VRCs may have expertise in issues related to competitive employment and disability, but intricate business development knowledge (including licensing regulations, permits, business insurance, corporate status, capital equipment, safety regulations, or production methods) fall outside the scope of their career development competencies.…”

“…Following a review of literature, researchers developed 14 open-ended questions addressing the experiences of self-employed PWD. The 14 questions centered around the reasons for seeking self-employment (Ali et al, 2011; Hagner & Davies, 2002; McNaughton et al, 2006; Palmer et al, 2000; Rizzo, 2002), the process of self-employment (Callahan et al, 2011; Griffin et al, 2014; Kulkarni & Gopakumar, 2014), and the role of VRCs (Arnold & Ipsen, 2005; Burkhalter & Curtis, 1990; Froehlich & Linkowski, 2002; Ipsen, Arnold, & Colling, 2005; Ravesloot & Seekins, 1996; Yamamoto & Alverson, 2013). Once developed, the survey questions were then sent to eight experts in the field for review to assure comprehensiveness and address survey credibility.…”

Adaptation of the Knowledge Validation Inventory to Measure Training Needs of Vocational Rehabilitation Service Providers in Kuwait Schools

“…To calculate the training needs scores of the service providers, the discrepancy model used by Szymanski, Linkowski, Leahy, Diamond, and Thoreson (1993) and Froehlich and Linkowski (2002) was used. For each item in the adapted inventory, the Preparedness rating was subtracted from the Importance rating.…”

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

“…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). Results of a recent study that evaluated the training needs of rehabilitation counselors indicated that counselors’ perceived level of preparation was well below their perceived level of importance for many knowledge areas related to job development/job placement and vocational consultation/services for employers (Beveridge, Leconte, Shaine, Del Toro, & Penrod, 2015).…”