Associate Professor
Assistant Division Director
Admissions Chair
Division of Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling
Department of Health Sciences
Phone: (919) 843-4471
Email: dara_chan@med.unc.edu
Education
- BA, Tulane University
- MHS, Rehabilitation Counseling: University of Florida
- ScD, Rehabilitation Science: Boston University
Research Interests
Community integration and resource use for people with developmental and psychiatric disabilities; using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to measure community participation; spatial analysis of accessibility and the environment using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Courses Taught
- CRMH Introduction to Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling with People with Developmental Disabilities and Psychiatric Disabilities
- CRMH Career Development and Employment: Counseling Persons with Disabilities
- CRMH Tests & Measurement in Clinical Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling
- CRMH Practicum in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling
Funding
2023-2025; Harrop C (Lead P.I.), Chan, D. V. (Co-P.I.). Examining the Role of Social Connection in Suicide Risk for Older Autistic Adults: A Mixed Methods Study. National Institute of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, $427,625.
2022-2027; Chan, D. V. (Lead P.I.). HEELS 2 Participation: Improving community participation for young adults with intellectual disabilities. National Institute of Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research: Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Community Living and Participation, $2,500,000.
2022-2023; Maddox, B. (P.I.), Chan, D.V. (Co-I). Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in autistic adults: The role of community and social connections. Organization for Autism Research, $40,000.
2021-2026; Tomaszerski, B. (P.I.), Chan, D.V. (Co-I). North Carolina community collaboration for employment.Administration for Community Living, $1,125,000
2018 – 2019: Chan, D. V. (P.I.). Using GIS and GPS techniques to understand meaningful participation for adults with autism spectrum disorder. National Institute of Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) Switzer Merit Fellowship, $70,000.
2016 – 2018: Chan, D. V. (P.I)., Klinger, M. R. (CoI). Examining person and environment factors associated with community participation for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Organization of Autism Research, $30,000.
2015 – 2018: Thorpe, D. (P.I), Chan, D.V. (Co-P.I.), Boyd, R., Trost, S., Lichtwarck, G., Barber, L., Bagatell, N., Faldoski, R. Testing novel measures of community function and participation in adults with cerebral palsy. Research Foundation of Cerebral Palsy Alliance, $100,000.
2015 – 2017: Chan, D. V. (P.I). Examining the influence of individual and neighborhood characteristics on community integration for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). University Research Council Award, University of North Carolina, $7,500.
2015 – 2016: Chan, D. V. (P.I). Testing novel approaches to accessibility and community integration measurement for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD.) Junior Faculty Development Award, University of North Carolina, $7,500.
2015 – 2016: Chan, D. V. (P.I). Understanding adult services in the community using GIS technology. Autism Science Foundation, $5,000.
Training Grants
2014 – 2019 Chan, D.V. (P.I.); Burker, E. (CoI); Rak, E. (CoI); Schmidt, J. A. (CoI); Morrison, B. (CoI). Promoting evidence-based practice, diversity, and multicultural competency in rehabilitation counselor training to meet consumer and employer needs Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education, $1,000,000.
2019 – 2024 Rak, E. (P.I.); Burker, E. (CoI); Chan, D.V. (CoI); Schmidt, J. A. (CoI); Morrison, B. (CoI). Advanced training for rehabilitation counselors to optimize outcomes for consumers with mental illness and address personnel shortages in state vocational rehabilitation agencies. Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education, $750,000.
2014 – 2019 Burker, E. (P.I.); Chan, D.V. (CoI); Rak, E. (CoI); Schmidt, J. A. (CoI). Training innovation in the rehabilitation of individuals who are mentally ill: meeting consumer and employer needs. Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education, $750,000.
014 – 2019 Burker, E. (P.I.); Rak, E. (CoI); Chan, D.V. (CoI); Schmidt, J. A. (CoI). Evidence-based, diversity-sensitive practice in the state-federal public vocational rehabilitation system: Innovative training solutions. Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education, $1,000,000.
Publications
Chan DV, Doran, JD. (2023). Mental health counseling is rated most helpful by autistic adults: Service perspectives in adulthood. Autism. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613231197446
Doran JD, McCrary S, Morrison BM, Hiruma L, Chan DV. (2023). View of the work community and vocational rehabilitation services among adults with autism spectrum disorder. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, https://doi.org/10.1177/00343552231155.
Bagatell N, Chan DV, Syu Y-C, Lamarche EM, Klinger LG. (2022). Sensory processing and community participation in autistic adults. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.876127
Chan DV, Doran, JD, Galobardi, OD. (2022). Beyond friendship: The spectrum of social participation in autistic adults. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05441-1
Randall-Emmons A, Chan DV, Burker EJ. (2021). Yoga therapy as an innovative treatment for complex trauma. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 52(4), 266-281. DOI:10.1891/JARC-D-20-00019
Chan DV, Burker EJ, Schmidt JA. (2021). Flipping the career development and employment classroom: Engaging students to enhance learning. Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators Journal. https://doi.org/10.52017/001c.24286
Chan DV, Mann A, Gopal S. (2021). Applying environmental context to rehabilitation research using GIS and GPS geospatial technology. Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education, 35(1), 33-50. https://doi.org/10.1891/RE-19-39
Fraiser K, Burker E, & Chan DV. (2021). Tablet therapy as an assistive technology-based treatment for anxiety in pediatric oncology. Assistive Technology: The Official Journal of RESNA, 1–10. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2021.1884919
Chan DV, Klinger M, Adkisson K, Klinger L. (2020). Examining environmental predictors of community participation for adults with autism spectrum disorder using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04660-8.
Carroll A, Chan DV, Thorpe D, Levin I, Bagatell N. (2020). A life course perspective on growing older with cerebral palsy. Qualitative Health Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732320971247
Chan DV, Thorpe D, Trost SG, Boyd RN, Faldowski RA, Barber L…. Bagatell N. (2019). Novel approaches to measuring community integration in adults with cerebral palsy. Disability and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1577500
Chan DV. (2018). Safe spaces, agency, and connections to “regular stuff’: What makes permanent supportive housing feel like “home.” Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0034355218814927
Chan DV. (2018). Examining quality of life for people with disabilities who were once homeless. Journal of Rehabilitation, 84(4), 12-21.
Bagatell N, Chan DV, Karrat K, Thorpe D. (2017). “Thrust into adulthood”: Transition experiences of young adults with cerebral palsy. Disability and Health Journal, 10(1), 80-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2016.09.008
Chan DV, Gopal S, Helfrich CA. (2014). Accessibility patterns and community integration among previously homeless adults: A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) approach. Social Science and Medicine, 120, 142-152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.09.005
Chan, DV, Helfrich CA, Hursh NC, Rogers ES, Gopal S. (2014). Measuring community integration using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and participatory mapping for people who were once homeless. Health and Place, 27, 92 – 101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2013.12.011
Chan DV. (2014). Service use, physical function, and community integration for people who were once homeless: A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) approach. Austin Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, 1(6), 1027-1036.
Helfrich CA, Simpson EK, Chan DV. (2013). Change patterns of homeless individuals with mental illness: A multiple case study. Community Mental Health Journal, 50(5), 531-537.
Helfrich CA, Chan DV. (2013). Changes in self-identified priorities, competencies, and values of adults with psychiatric disabilities who were recently homeless. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 16, 22-49.
Helfrich CA, Chan DV, Simpson E, Sabol P. (2012). Readiness-to-change cluster profiles among adults with mental illness who were homeless participating in a life skills intervention. Community Mental Health Journal, 48(6), 673-681.
Helfrich CA, Chan DV, Sabol P. (2011). Cognitive predictors of life skill interventions: Outcomes for adults with mental illness at risk for homelessness. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65, 277-286.
Helfrich CA, Peters C, Chan DV. (2011) Trauma symptoms of individuals with mental illness at risk for homelessness participating in a life skills intervention. Occupational Therapy International, 18(3), 115-123.
Service
- 2020 — Present: Research Advisory Committee member
- 2019 — Present: Director, UNC HEELS Prep/Summer Intensive Program
- 2019 — Present: Co-Director, UNC HEEL 2 Transition Program
- 2018 — 2023: Co-chair, National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE) Psychiatric Rehabilitation Council
- 2018 — Present: Editorial Board member, Journal of Rehabilitation
- 2017 — 2018: Co-Chair, National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE) 2018 Annual Conference
- 2017 — Present: UNC HEELS UP Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) Committee member
- 2016 — Present: Grant Reviewer, Organization of Autism Research (OAR)
- 2016 — Present: DAHS Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Committee member
- 2016 — Present: CRMH Admissions Committee Director
- 2016 — Present: DAHS Scholarship Committee member
Peer Journal Reviewer
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Autism
- Research in Developmental Disabilities
- Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin
- Journal of Rehabilitation
- Health and Place
- Social Science and Medicine
- Housing Studies
- Journal of Community Mental Health
- Administration of Mental Health and Policy
Honors
- 2023: Innovation and Achievement Award, Department of Health Sciences, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- 2018 – Present: Investigator, UNC Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC)
- 2018: National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE) President’s Award for exemplary diligence and fortitude in promoting rehabilitation research, education, and service
- 2017 – Present: Frank Porter Graham Research Fellow
Professional Involvement
- Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
- American Counseling Association member
- HEELS 2 Transition
Trainings
- Green Zone training
