Rehabilitation/Vocational Counselors Abby Shoen GHEC ASL 2 March 1, 2006

History Rehabilitation professionals were once recruited from many human service areas Rehabilitation professionals were once recruited from many human service areas Federal funding was received for rehabilitation counseling in 1954, causing the profession to grow Federal funding was received for rehabilitation counseling in 1954, causing the profession to grow Before, counselors typically served working- age adults Before, counselors typically served working- age adults Now, the job extends to all age groups Now, the job extends to all age groups

What do they do? Work directly with an individual who has a disability Work directly with an individual who has a disability Determines and coordinates services to help those in need Determines and coordinates services to help those in need –Move from psychological and economic dependence to independence

Employment Characteristics Most counselors work for state rehabilitation agencies Most counselors work for state rehabilitation agencies –Other employment opportunities include: Rehabilitation Centers Rehabilitation Centers Universities or Schools Universities or Schools Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Facilities Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Facilities Correctional Facilities Correctional Facilities Halfway Houses Halfway Houses Independent Living Centers Independent Living Centers

How Much Do They Make? Average Starting Salary in Public Setting is $23,000 Average Starting Salary in Public Setting is $23,000 –Private Workers earn a considerably higher amount Average Overall Salary is estimated to be more than $30,000 Average Overall Salary is estimated to be more than $30,000

Employment Outlook 100’s of jobs are expected to be available for qualified people 100’s of jobs are expected to be available for qualified people Education programs are not graduating enough to fill the demand Education programs are not graduating enough to fill the demand Numerous former teachers, nurses, clergy, and business people have found second careers. Numerous former teachers, nurses, clergy, and business people have found second careers.

Education Needed Certification programs typically consist of months of academic and clinical training Certification programs typically consist of months of academic and clinical training –Clinical Training includes a practicum and 600 hours of internship experience Most rehabilitation counseling graduate students have undergraduate degrees in: Most rehabilitation counseling graduate students have undergraduate degrees in: –Rehabilitation services –Psychology –Sociology –Other Human-Service fields

Certification Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification certifies counselors Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification certifies counselors –Must meet educational and work experience requirements –Must pass a test –Must maintain certification by completing 100 hours of a continuing education credit every 5 years Some states may require additional licensing or registration Some states may require additional licensing or registration