Providing Career Development Services to Veterans: Perceived Need, Acceptability, and Demand

Abstract

Providing career development services, through career counseling and assessment, is part of vocational rehabilitation programming. However, there is no applied evidence that such career development services are feasible or accepted among individuals with psychiatric disorders. We examined feasibility (acceptability, demand, and perceived need) of the Vocational Evaluation Center (VEC), one veterans affairs (VA) hospital’s method of career development services for veterans with psychiatric disorders. Demographics, referral source, and service utilization were analyzed among 90 veterans referred to the VEC. Qualitative analysis identified patterns to veterans’ reasons for seeking VEC services. Veterans referred to the VEC were predominately unemployed and disabled. Veterans tolerated the intervention well, with 16.7% dropping out. Reported needs for VEC services included (a) vocational uncertainty, (b) functional considerations in vocational planning, and (c) finding purpose. Veterans with psychiatric disorders want career development services. The VEC model appears feasible, well-tolerated, and aligned with consumers’ needs.

Career Development in Transitional Work Settings: A Qualitative Investigation Among Veterans and Vocational Counselors

“…Informed by Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT; Lent et al, 1994), the intervention addressed related topics such as self-efficacy, outcome expectations, interests, goals, and personal/contextual influences. Results provide evidence of feasibility (acceptability, need, and demand) of the intervention for veterans with MHCs; however, the authors noted that the theoretical framework (i.e., SCCT) had not been empirically tested among veterans living with MHCs (Stevenson, Gorman et al, 2021). A lack of research-based career development interventions for veterans living with MHCs, is likely due to few empirical studies on career development among this group.…”

“…A more recent study investigated the feasibility of a career development intervention provided to 90 veterans with MHCs (Stevenson, Gorman et al, 2021). The career development intervention aimed to enhance career and self-exploration, identify vocational goals aligned with needs and preferences, and facilitate connection to needed resources in service of their goals.…”

“…Veterans living with mental health conditions (MHCs) want meaningful employment (Stevenson, Gorman et al, 2021); however, this population experiences many barriers, and they often have poor employment outcomes (Zivin et al, 2011). Thus, vocational interventions for veterans with MHCs has predominately focused on rapid job placement (e.g., Individual Placement and Support [IPS] model of Supported Employment [SE]; Drake et al, 2012).…”

Why open access to vocational services in substance use treatment matters: Commentary on Cosottile and Defulio (2020).

“…Subsequent national policy guidance further stated that urine screens are not requirements for admission to CWT and that results of any urine screens must not be used for punitive or exclusionary purposes (VHA Directive 1163, 2019, p. 43). Certainly, abstinence from substances is an important goal for many veterans; however, so too is engaging in meaningful employment (Stevenson, Gorman, et al, 2021). In our view, work is not simply a means to sobriety, but rather an important recovery goal itself.…”

“…Despite the fact that people with substance use disorders view employment as a necessary component of recovery and want vocational rehabilitation services (Laudet et al, 2002; Stevenson, Gorman, et al, 2021), rates of participation in vocational programs by people with substance use disorders are low (Frounfelker et al, 2011). This may be due, in part, to clinician bias as research finds that clinicians tend to hold biased and paternalistic beliefs about their client’s readiness to work when a substance use disorder is present (Pogoda et al, 2011).…”