Directions in Rehabilitation Counseling. (Home Study Program), vols. 1990-92.

Directions in Rehabilitation Counseling offers a cost-effective, self-paced method of earning national certification maintenance credits. The requirements for continuing education of most certifying organizations leaves counselors, educators, private practitioners, researchers and allied professionals searching for available in-service training options and approved activities to compile the requisite credit totals to retain their certification status. With Directions in Rehabilitation Counseling, credit hours are accrued through a training program intended to promote professional development, and offer flexibility in recertification.

As a "National Program of Continuing Education and Certification Maintenance," Directions in Rehabilitation Counseling (DIRC) operates under full approval of CRCC, CIRSC, CCWAVES, and NBCC for the advanced education of professionals in rehabilitation. Volumes 1990-92 were reviewed for their relevance to service delivery systems. Each volume consists of a versatile burgundy binder, letter of instruction for use, lined notepaper, lesson organizer tabs, a personalized quiz response sheet with return envelope, and a pencil for convenience. The format is systematic, self-directed, and consolidated into a single package. Each volume contains twelve lessons (one mailed monthly) for program subscribers. An index for ready reference is received by mail at the end of each year to complete the materials.

Each lesson begins with an editor's description of topics to be covered in the section. Pages are double-spaced, with significant concepts highlighted in bold print. Lessons consist of between 15-30 pages, followed by a bibliography of references. Four quiz questions follow each discussion to assess the reader's level of comprehension.

Answers are then marked on the enclosed response form, and submitted to DIRC for approval. Thirty (30) hours of Continuing Education Units (CEU) are later awarded for completion of the twelve month program.

The training lessons are written by prominent authorities in the fields of rehabilitation counseling, medicine, psychology, research and higher education. Topics chosen are relevant to current directions in research and technology, and are to assist practitioners in decision-making processes, and programming of services. DIRC is managed by two Co-Directors, Frederic Flach, M.D., and Lloyd Goodwin, Ph.D., with a six-member Editorial Board of Consultants. Approved research materials are products of careful scrutiny and review by editors aware of an evolving research and technology base.

Directions in Rehabilitation Counseling offers its participants additional incentives, including a semi-annual newsletter, a toll-free number that provides members with technical support, a "CE REGISTRY" of updated credits, a certificate of program completion, and reduced rates and discounts on training materials. The 30 hours of CEU credit for recertification is the alluring ingredient of the program. When compared with transportation, lodging, registration fees, and per diem expenses for training, the price of the program appears quite reasonable. In addition, other specialized options for extra CEU credits are available in audiotape and workbook materials throughout the year.

The three volumes of Directions in Rehabilitation Counseling (1990-92) contain a myriad of pertinent discussion topics. The 1990 volume covers psychosocial aspects of disability such as "Post-Stroke Depression," "Diagnosis and Management of Substance Abuse,'" "The Criminal Personality," and "Stress Addiction." The 1991 volume concentrates on critical areas of supported employment, professional ethics, and the "Effective Use of Vocational Evaluation Services." The current volume for 1992 addresses, among others, the sensitive themes of "Women and Alcoholism," and "AIDS: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management." The training materials of this program are clear, concise and comprehensive. Although rather simplistic in its form and language, DIRC will offer even the seasoned professional, educator, and researcher, current insight related to theory, methods and practice. This training program is recommended without reservation to rehabilitation professionals seeking opportunities to complete certification maintenance credits. Directions in Rehabilitation Counseling offers feasible solutions to Continuing Education requirements, alleviates the training costs involved, and reduces the symptoms of "recertification anxiety."