Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1991

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Counseling

Major Professor

J. H. Miller

Committee Members

Jack Cassell, John Ray

Abstract

It was the purpose of this thesis to study specific vocational rehabilitation services offered to persons with traumatic brain injury in the Rehabilitation Services Administration, Federal Region IV, including the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. A questionnaire was mailed to 73 rehabilitation facilities that offered services to persons with traumatic brain injury in Federal Region IV, accompanied by a cover letter explaining the purpose of the study.

The subjects of the study were the rehabilitation facilities themselves. The questionnaires were addressed to the director of each facility for completion. Types of facilities surveyed included: private not-for-profit, private for-profit, hospitals, and Federal/State Rehabilitation Facilities. Ten days after the first mailing, those who had not responded were sent another, identical questionnaire and a cover letter that restated the nature and purpose of the study and asked for participation in the study by completing and returning the questionnaire.

Data gathered from the questionnaire was tabulated using a frequency distribution with percentages for each question and each facility. Two open-ended questions on the questionnaire were analyzed using content analysis. Results were presented in tabular form.

Results of the study, specifically concerning the availability of vocational services for persons with traumatic brain injury, were as follows: 1. Vocational programming was offered at 22 of the 33 facilities responding to the questionnaire. 2. Vocational rehabilitation outcome was included as part of the facility's basic model or goal in 18 of the 33 facilities. 3. A vocational evaluation was conducted as part of the evaluation process for development of the treatment at 22 of the 33 facilities responding to the questionnaire. 4 At 21 of the 33 facilities, a vocational rehabilitation counselor was included as part of the rehabilitation staff. 5. The treatment plan or rehabilitation plan included vocational goals at 19 of the 33 facilities. 6. The supported employment model with job coaching was utilized at 14 of the 33 facilities. 7. Job readiness training was implemented at 19 of the 33 facilities completing the questionnaire. 8. Independent living skills training was offered to persons with traumatic brain injury at 15 of the 33 facilities. 9. A very small number of the facilities (10) offered follow-up services, including substance abuse counseling, family counseling, and counseling for the client.

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