Other Resources > Professional Development

The following links can be useful in providing resources and information towards professional development. They are categorized by education and training opportunities, organizations, and publications.

Education and Training Opportunities

The following links are educational and training sites where visitors can pursue an academic degree, access educational materials, and obtain training information. Areas of focus are psychiatric rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation, mental health, and disabilities.

• Boston University: the Center of Psychiatric Rehabilitation offers a Professional Development Program (PDP) that allows consumers to earn PDP hours in psychiatric rehabilitation towards continuing their education. For more information go to: www.bu.edu/cpr/training/pdp In addition to this the Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling is designed to prepare the student to enter the field of rehabilitation counseling at a professional level. The two-year program, which is fully accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE), offers the skills and knowledge necessary for certification as a rehabilitation counselor (CRC). http://www.bu.edu/sargent/programs/graduate.html

• Columbia University: the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology prepares students to investigate and address the psychological needs of individuals, families, groups, organizations/institutions, and communities. A specialized track in rehabilitation counseling exists for students pursuing an ED.M. degree in Psychological Counseling within the department. Graduates from this track can sit for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam. For more information go to: http://www.tc.columbia.edu/academic/ccp/ The Workplace Center within the Center for Social Policy and Practice, School of Social Work is a cutting edge service delivery, program development, research, training, and consultation institute. Founded in 1969, the Workplace Center is a nationally recognized center of innovation and best practice. http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ssw/projects/workplace/

• Cornell University: the Employment and Disability Institute- EDI (formerly the Program on Employment and Disability - PED), housed within the Industrial and Labor Relations School (ILR) conducts research and provides continuing education and technical assistance on many aspects of disability in the workplace. Cornell University has an extensive program on employment and disability. http://www.ilr6.cornell.edu/ped/

• University of Illinois at Chicago: the UIC Mental Health Services Research Program (MHSRP) engages in research, training, and technical assistance resulting in enhanced service delivery and increased knowledge about psychiatric disorders and mental health services. Publications at the MHSRP site have a variety of materials on line including articles, curricula, manuals, reports, and software. http://www.psych.uic.edu/mhsrp/publications.htm

• University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey: the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Behavioral Health Care offers a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. This is a 36-credit degree program, which offers two tracks within the program. One track is designed for individuals interested in careers in supervision and management, research or teaching in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation. The other track is designed for individuals interested in gaining counseling skills in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation. In addition to its master’s level programs, the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Behavioral Health Care offers degree programs at the associate, bachelors, and doctoral levels. http://www.shrp.umdnj.edu/programs/ms_rehab_coun/additional_info.htm

• University of Wisconsin: the Stout Mental Health Counseling Program prepares competent and ethical counselors for service in the mental health counseling profession. Students receive training and experience in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention skills necessary to provide comprehensive counseling services. The M.S. Mental Health Counseling Program prepares students for careers as professional counselors, assisting with the mental health needs of clientele in a variety of settings including community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment facilities, outpatient mental health clinics, and rehabilitation agencies. http://www.uwstout.edu/programs/msmhc/

• Virginia Commonwealth University: the Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling within the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling offers a traditional on-campus program. During the program, students may combine classroom-based courses with studies at their home/work site, using a carefully planned array of innovative learning technologies. There is also a psychiatric rehabilitation traineeship program. http://www.rehab.vcu.edu

Organizations

The following links are for organizations that offer information, research, and resources in the areas of mental health, disabilities, and employment.

• Association for Persons in Supported Employment (APSE): a membership organization formed in 1988 to improve and expand integrated employment opportunities, services, and outcomes for persons with disabilities. They offer trainings and numerous resources. http://www.apse.org/ For information on the New York State chapter, e-mail: thughes@westchesterarc.org or wquarles@acsu.buffalo.edu

• Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law: the leading national legal advocate for people with mental disabilities. Bazelon publishes handbooks, manuals, issues papers and reports explaining key legal and policy issues in everyday terms and highlight issues related to mental health law in the media. http://www.bazelon.org/

• Center for Employment Opportunities: provides comprehensive and immediate employmwnt options for ex-offenders under community supervision. One of the work programs, the Neighborhood Work Project (NWP) -- provides paid, short-term employment and serves as an "employment lab," preparing participants with the essential skills to rejoin the workforce and restart their lives. For more information on the Center go to: http://www.ceoworks.org/

• Center for Reintegration: a web site that provides information for the mental health community on employment, therapeutic alliances, and support resources. http://www.reintegration.com

• Coalition of Mainstream Employment Programs (CMEP): is an education and training coalition of almost fifty agencies serving the ‘integrated employment’ needs of agencies in the greater New York City area. http://www.cmepnyc.org

• Community Service Society (CSS): conducts research that helps shape public policies concerning poverty, advocates for low-income New Yorkers at all levels of government, provides direct services and technical assistance to individuals and organizations, and engages volunteers and communities in building stronger communities. CSS's training schedule: http://www.cssny.org

• Disability Research Institute (DRI): conducts research and evaluations, disseminates information on disability topics, and informs policymakers and the public on policies related to people with disabilities and programs under the Social Security Act. http://www.dri.uiuc.edu

• Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI): supports the rights of children and adults with disabilities to participate in all aspects of the community including employment. ICI is based at the University of Massachusetts. ICI’s free publications on topics related to supported employment: http://www.communityinclusion.org

• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of New York City, Inc. (NAMI-NYC): dedicated to improving the lives of people with neurobiological disorders (mental illnesses) and their families and friends through support, education, advocacy, and research. http://www.nami-nyc-metro.org

• National Mental Health Association (NMHA): the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. NMHA has a page on supported employment for persons with psychiatric disabilities. http://www.nmha.org/pbedu/adult/supported_employment.cfm

• National Research and Training Center (NRTC) on Psychiatric Disability: a five-year program focused on psychiatric disabilities conducting research, training, technical assistance and dissemination activities designed to promote self-determination among people with psychiatric disabilities. It is located in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). http://www.psych.uic.edu/uicnrtc/

• New Hampshire-Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center: a mental health services research group that conducts research in the areas of implementation of evidence-based practices, supported employment and vocational rehabilitation, and trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. Also see The West Institute founded in 2000 to promote the implementation of Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) in public mental health systems across the country and information on Evidence-Based Practices, an implementation resource kit in draft form developed through a contract from SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) and a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. http://www.dartmouth.edu/~psychrc/

• New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS): a statewide coalition of people who use and/or provide recovery-oriented community based mental health services. NYAPRS values difference and promotes cultural competence in all aspects of their work. NYAPRS is dedicated to improving services and social conditions for people with psychiatric disabilities or diagnoses. http://www.nyaprs.org

• New York State Rehabilitation Association (NYSRA): an advocacy association for substantive analysis and political action in advancing public policy that benefits people with differing abilities. NYSRA serves as a clearinghouse of information to provide education and networking opportunities for community service agencies, consumers, families and other advocacy organizations. http://nyrehab.org/nysra/ Affiliated with NYSRA is the Rehabilitation Research and Training Institute (RRTI). RRTI promotes knowledge exchange services activities to the rehabilitation field and community providers serving people with differing abilities. http://www.rrti.org

• Rehabilitation Continuing Educational Program (RRCEP): located at the State University of New York/Buffalo delivers human resources development and organizational development services to state vocational rehabilitation agencies, community rehabilitation programs, centers for independent living, client assisted programs, and all constituents throughout Region II (New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands). http://www.rcep2.buffalo.edu

• Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC): a national non-profit organization that works to achieve positive outcomes on behalf of people with disabilities by providing state-of-the-art information and technical expertise to organizations and policymakers in the areas of mental health. www.tacinc.org

• US Department of Health and Human Services - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA): the SAMHSA National Mental Health Information Center, Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) provides information about mental health. The Information Center also has information on Federal grants, conferences, and other events. SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center (CMHS) is a one-stop, national clearinghouse for free information about mental health, including publications, references, and referrals to local and national resources and organizations. www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov

• United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association - USPRA (formerly the International Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services - IAPSRS): an association of psychiatric rehabilitation agencies, individual practitioners, persons in recovery, researchers, educators, funders, mental health administrators and other interested people dedicated to promoting, supporting, and strengthening community-oriented rehabilitation services and resources for persons with psychiatric disabilities. Access to numerous publications on psychiatric rehabilitation is also available at this site. http://www.iapsrs.org

• UCLA Center for Research on Treatment & Rehabilitation of Psychosis: provides research services, consultation and technical assistance to investigators pursuing studies of severe mental illnesses. Cosponsored by the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, the Center fosters collaborative, interdisciplinary research on mental disorders by serving as an organizational catalyst for research projects, which are funded by a variety of public and private agencies and foundations. http://www.npi.ucla.edu/irc/

• University of Illinois/Chicago Department of Psychiatry: The Department of Psychiatry has two basic missions: 1) To educate, train, deliver cutting edge services and add new knowledge in basic science, treatment, service delivery and public policy for the major psychiatric disorders and of biopsychosocial contributions to major medical illnesses; and 2) To partner with community, city, and state health and welfare programs and consumer organizations to promote well-being and prevent major psychosocial societal problems such as violence, drug abuse and family dysfunction. http://www.psych.uic.edu

• Urban Justice Center: a non-profit organization that provides legal representation and advocacy to poor and homeless, mentally ill and substance abusing New Yorkers. The Center also offers The Mental Health Consumer Advocacy Course, which provides an excellent opportunity for consumers to learn how to become effective advocates for themselves and others. www.urbanjustice.org

• Virginia Commonwealth University Worksupport.Com: the purpose of this center is to identify factors that enhance or inhibit businesses from tapping into a pool of potential employees from the disabled population. This site can be used as a gateway to information, resources, and services regarding the employment of people with disabilities. http://www.worksupport.com

• Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID): the main mission is to promote educational equity and excellence for students with disabilities while ensuring that they receive the rights and protection to which they are entitled. http://www.vesid.nysed.gov

Publications

The following links are journals, newsletters, and links to publications in the areas of psychiatric rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation, and mental health.

• The Advance: an information source for the profession via the Association for Persons in Supported Employment (APSE). The focus of the newsletter is to make membership aware of the changes and advances on a national scale. It is also a tool for communicating national and state chapter events. http://www.apse.org/theadvance.html

• Benefits Planner: publication in collaboration with Cornell University's Program on Employment and Disability and Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. Current and back issues can be accessed on topics such as the Medicaid Buy-In and SSI at: http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/ped/dep/bp.html

• InfoLines: newsletter from the Training Resource Network (TRN) on the employment of people with disabilities can be purchased via TRN's home page. TRN also offers briefs for training on various disability topics such as the role of employment specialists and job coaches. http://www.trninc.com

• International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation: a private non-profit professional publication and associated web-based, information archive service dedicated to the enhancement of practice, program development, program evaluation and innovations in mental health and substance abuse treatment programs. http://www.psychosocial.com

• Job Training and Placement Report (JTPR): monthly newsletter for Professionals who support employment for people with disabilities via Impact Publications, Inc. JTPR covers information such as: supported employment programs, funding sources, training techniques, technological advancements in the rehabilitation field, marketing, and much more. http://www.impact-publications.com/JTPR

• Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation: provides a forum for discussion and dissemination of information about the major areas that constitute vocational rehabilitation. Periodically, there will be topics that are directed either to specific themes such as long term care or different disability groups such as those with psychiatric impairment. http://www.iospress.nl/html/10522263.html

• Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal: publication of Boston University’s Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences along with the International Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services (IAPSRS) provides information relevant to the rehabilitation of individuals with severe psychiatric disabilities. http://www.bu.edu/prj

• Psychiatric Services: published monthly by the American Psychiatric Association for mental health professionals and others concerned with treatment and services for persons with mental illnesses and mental disabilities, in keeping with APA objectives to improve care and treatment, to promote research and professional education in psychiatric and related fields, and to advance the standards of all psychiatric services and facilities. http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org

• Recovery and Rehabilitation Newsletter: Boston University’s newsletter is available for free on line: http://www.bu.edu/cpr/rr/

• RRCEP II Newsletter: published bi-annually in the Fall and Spring and is available for download in PDF. Topics include cultural competency, micro counseling, and one stop staff training. To contribute an article or make a suggestion, e-mail: dkyeo@buffalo.edu. Access newsletters: http://www.rcep2.buffalo.edu/resources/newsletter.html

• Reintegration Today: a magazine published quarterly by the Center for Reintegration as an information resource and community forum for people interested in all aspects of severe mental illness, particularly the process of recovery and reintegration back into society. http://www.reintegration.com/today/

• Social Security: publications may be available via Social Security in several different formats including pdf. Some of the topics are disability benefits, SSI, and the appeals process. One can also access the Social Security Disability Planner. http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/