The Division of Rehabilitation Counseling and Psychology values faculty research and student involvement in scholarly contributions to the field.
Division of Rehabilitation Counseling & Psychology Research and Training Projects
Research Projects: The Older Workers with Disabilities Pilot Project was conducted in 2006-08. It was funded with a Stimulus Award ($10,000) from the UNC Institute on Aging. The purpose of the pilot was threefold:
Identify/examine factors that influence continuance or pursuit of work in people with disabilities over age 50.
Exploratory study of this older worker population in a typical county from NC
Demographic data sought to describe the older worker w/ disabilities population
Completed work on the project succeeded in meeting the targeted objectives which included-
Design/compile database on DVR sample (ages 50-69); select random sample
Conduct semi-structured interviews with a subset of the sample (5 subjects)
Survey the random sample of 50 older adults with disabilities (50-69 yrs. old)
Analyze data and disseminate findings
The Older Workers with Disabilities Pilot Extension (OWDPE) has used of a more structured, survey interview approach using the questionnaire with subjects that has been effectively piloted for this population. This phase was funded ($10,000) and completed in 2009. It required further collaboration with DVR-NC in Raleigh to identify an additional sample, then directly contact and recruit more subjects for the study over the year.
Objectives: The OWD Pilot Extension accomplish several objectives in the successful implementation of the study- 1) Broaden the database of demographic information on the expanded sample of older adults with disabilities seeking work post-age 50 who received DVR services with a work history of 5+ years.
2) Survey an expanded subject sample of older adults with disabilities between ages 50-59 with a minimum 5 years of work experience who are pursuing employment in two other typical counties and merge data with the sample from Alamance County.
3) Apply the revised piloted research to rationalize application of an interdisciplinary, ecological approach using a life course perspective to examine similar personal, socio-economic, environmental and systemic factors within a statewide or multi-state sample for this population
Findings of the OWD Pilot and Extension are available by contacting Dr. Charles Bernacchio, PI at charles_bernacchio@med.unc.edu or at 919-966-8788.
From the Community to the OR: EMS Workers’ Knowledge of and Attitudes toward Heart-Beating and Non-Heart-Beating Organ and Tissue Donation Study Due to a shortage of organ donors for transplantation, there are currently 106,830 people waiting for solid organ transplants in the US. As first responders, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel have an important role in decisions surrounding organ and tissue donation by next-of-kin (NOK). This is particularly true in the new era of utilization of organs retrieved after death from non heart beating donors (NHBDs). The research shows that some EMS personnel are not comfortable addressing organ donation with NOK at the scene of a serious injury/illness or death. The research hypothesizes this is related to a lack of knowledge about the process of organ and tissue donation and the potential benefit. Dr Burker was awarded a $10,000 UNC TraCS grant for this study. The aims of this project are to: 1) Assess the knowledge of and attitudes about heart beating (HBD) and NHBD organ and tissue donation among EMS personnel; 2) Develop an educational tool to inform EMS personnel about HBD and NHBD; and 3) Measure the impact of the educational intervention on EMS attitudes and knowledge.
One of the stated goals of the UNC TraCS Institute is to create an environment that enables faculty, health care providers and citizens to work as teams to carry out translational research to solve important health problems. By working with EMS professionals, this project will improve organ, eye, and tissue donation. The increase in donation would impact bench research on NHBDs for lung transplant (LTX) in particular and ultimately result in more patients receiving LTX at UNC and across the U.S. Information on the study can be obtained by contacting Dr. Burker, PI at Eileen_burker@med.unc.edu or at 919-966-8788.
Training Projects: Rehabilitation Services Administration Scholars Grant in Psychiatric Rehabilitation The Division of Rehabilitation Counseling & Psychology at UNC, Chapel Hill has received a University-Based Long-Term Training grant from the USDOE to expand Psychiatric Rehabilitation specialization in rehabilitation counseling. This new grant award will offer scholarship stipends to graduate students who pursue a psychiatric specialization to help cover their tuition (full-time students can get tuition stipends for second year courses; part-time students can get tuition stipends for most of their courses). The five-year grant award is intended to address shortages that exist in the region for trained rehabilitation counselors in psychiatric rehabilitation (PSR) to work in vocational rehabilitation (VR) and in community-based rehabilitation programs including public, community mental health, as well as to colleges which provide postsecondary supported education.
The new Psychiatric Rehabilitation Counseling project has several key features: 1) Curriculum focus of -community inclusion and supports; recovery and self-determined services; confronting stigma and promoting attitudinal, social change; and content on evidence-based practices. 2) Career PSR counseling specialization through mentoring placement partners and active career preparation to increase employment of graduates. 3) Recruiting/retaining/supporting, well-qualified students for graduate studies in rehabilitation counseling. 4) Alternative curriculum venues, including a series of online specialization courses utilizing distance technology. Information about the training grant is available on the RCP website or by contacting Dr. Charles Bernacchio, PI at charles_bernacchio@med.unc.edu or at 919-966-8788.
The Rehabilitation Counseling & Psychology curriculum includes a strong research component. Before completing the program of study, students must complete a research paper, project, or thesis. Students have access to a wide range of resources, technology, and research aids through the UNC library system. To find out more about these library resources, watch the video below, which highlights the various libraries and technologies available to students.
