Ethics of Technology Practice: Beliefs and Behaviors of Certified Rehabilitation Counselors During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic represented a critical moment for technology use within rehabilitation counseling. This study explored trends in the beliefs and behaviors of certified rehabilitation counselors (CRCs) regarding the ethical use of technology before and during the pandemic. Specifically, this study compared two groups of CRCs regarding the degree to which they engaged in 59 technology behaviors and whether they viewed each behavior to be ethical. Overall, group comparisons suggested an increased use of telephone, videoconferencing, and email to deliver counseling, assessment, and supervision services during the pandemic. Furthermore, supervision via videoconferencing and email in the pandemic were rated as more ethically appropriate than before the pandemic. As a general trend, synchronous modes of communication such as the telephone and video conferencing were rated as more ethically appropriate than asynchronous modes such as social networking and text messaging. Indicating a high degree of congruence between beliefs and behaviors, the technology practices viewed as most ethical were used the most often. Implications address the revisions to the Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors regarding the ethical use of technology in rehabilitation counseling.

Fortune Favors the Bold: Introduction to the Special Series of the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Employment

This editorial provides an overview of the special series developed by the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center (VRTAC) for Quality Employment, H264K200003, and VRTAC-Targeted Communities (H264F15003) from the U.S. Department of Education, and in collaboration with the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research project of Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Employer Practices (#90RT5041), RRTC on Employment of Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities (#90RTEM0002), RRTC on Employment of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (#90RTEM0003), and Disability Rehabilitation and Research Project on Customized Employment (#90DP0085). The special series consists of 26 articles appearing across four different journals: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation; Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators Journal; Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education; and Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin.

Effects of VHA Policy Directive 1163 on Acceptance and Employment Rates for Veterans with Substance Use Disorders Referred to VHA Vocational Rehabilitation

INTRODUCTION

Research has shown that Veterans with Substance/Alcohol Use Disorders (SUDs/AUDs) are at a greater risk for employment-related issues (eg, lower labor force participation rates), and interventions such as Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) have been used as a tool to reduce employment obtainment and maintenance. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate acceptance rates and employment rates at closure for Veterans with SUDs/AUDs prior to the implementation of VHA Policy Directive 1163 (mandated that Veterans are not refused services based on prior or current SUD/AUDs). SUD/AUDs were coded to reflect DSM 5-TR criteria of active use and in-remission.

METHODS

Data from a VHA Vocational Rehabilitation program in the Veterans Integrated Service Network 12 network were obtained for the purpose of the current study.

RESULTS

Findings showed that Veterans with AUDs were less likely to be accepted for VR services prior and after implementation of VHA Policy Directive 1163.

CONCLUSIONS

When examining active and inactive SUDs/AUDs, findings showed that implementation of VHA Policy Directive 1163 was not effective for Veterans with AUDs. One factor that was not explored but could explain disparities in program acceptance rates is duration of program entry. If a Veteran has a consult placed for VHA Vocational Rehabilitation services, and their program entry date (date accepted) is a significant duration, then perhaps Veterans with active AUDs start drinking again given that they are waiting for vocational assistance. Thus, it would be important to assist Veterans with active AUDs into services in a timely manner (perhaps prior them being discharged from SUD treatment).