| The purpose of this study was to prioritize community resources used in the delivery of rehabilitation services. More specifically, it ranks those resources according to significance and frequency of use in the vocational rehabilitation of consumers. In addition, the study looks at the relationship of counselor experience, education, and state residency to the frequency of use of community resources. The sample consisted of eighty-five Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors working with people with disabilities. This sample represented counselors from four states within region X: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.;Two statistical methods were used: the first is a rank order of all services according to their significance and frequency of use, and the second is a descriptive difference among means to stipulate the most significant differences for services provided. Despite some difference in ranking, both categories were congruent in the top five resources. These resources were public transportation, community mental health, supplemental security income, social security disability, and Medicaid. Data revealed no significant differences for the effects of experience and education on the frequency of use of community services; however, significant differences were indicated for the effect of state residency on the variables of home health services, private mental health services, social security disability income, private employment services, work hardening center, children and family services, vocational education programs, and adult education programs.;The conclusions of the study indicate that the highest-ranked community resources in regard to significance and frequency of use were public transportation, community mental health, social security supplemental and disability benefits, and Medicaid.;Public transportation is a major issue that needs further study and, potentially, training programs for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors. |
