The Use of Employment/Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Persons with HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse: A potential Health Benefit

Authors

Abdoulaye Diallo, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Chia Vang, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Belinda Rivas, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Antonio Aguirre
Carl Flowers

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2017

Abstract

This study investigates Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services related to competitive employment closure among non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB), non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), and Hispanics with HIV/AIDS and substance use disorder (SUD). Data of 4150 was extracted from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA-911) database. Descriptive statistics and multi-variate analysis showed consumers who received SSI and Medicare were less likely to be employed than those who did not, and, NHW who received rehabilitation counseling and guidance benefited the most compared to NHB who did not. Rehabilitation counselors can assist minorities with HIV/AIDS and SUD secure employment given the positive effects of employment for this population. Health professionals should consider incorporating employment, using VR services in their treatment strategies, while making sure clients with different racial ethnicity background benefit equally from all VR services.

Comments

© 2017 National Rehabilitation Counseling Association. Original published version available at https://doi.org/10.1891/0047-2220.48.4.28

Recommended Citation

Diallo, A., Vang, C., Rivas, B., Aguirre, A., Flowers, C., & Kwan, N. (2017). The Use of Employment/Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Persons with HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse: A potential Health Benefit. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 48(4), 28-37. https://doi.org/10.1891/0047-2220.48.4.28

DOI

10.1891/0047-2220.48.4.28