EVALUATION OF A TRAINING PROGRAM TO ENHANCE CLINICAL SUPERVISION OF STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SUPERVISORS

This study involves the development, delivery, and evaluation of a training program designed to enhance clinical supervision within the state vocational rehabilitation (SVR) program. As defined in this study, clinical supervision involves a supportive and developmental relationship between the SVR supervisor and counselor where the focus is to improve counselor skill development and case management decisions that lead to successful VR outcomes. This project develops, implements, and evaluates a training program specifically designed for practicing SVR supervisors to improve clinical supervision practices. The study uses multiple outcome measures to assess changes in clinical supervision knowledge, self-efficacy, behavior, and the working supervisory relationship between SVR supervisors and counselors. Using an experimental design (randomized assignment), supervisors interested in participating in the training program are either assigned to a training or no training group. In order to further evaluate and validate findings, counselors are also asked to complete parallel measures of their perceptions regarding supervisor knowledge, self-efficacy, behavior, and the working relationship within clinical supervision. The training program involves three days of on-site training followed by a six-month follow-along training to support initial skill development. Assessments are taken on three occasions: prior to, one-month, and six months after the on-site training to develop/enhance clinical supervision among SVR supervisors. Further, experimental measures to assess effective clinical supervision behavior and self-efficacy is under development by a Research Advisory Board of current and retired SVR personnel. This board is also involved with the development of the initial on-site training program.