Selection, Training, and Manpower Recruitment in Rehabilitation.

The critical shortage of trained personnel for rehabilitation work can be alleviated by careful selection of non-professionals to fill the existing positions. Research suggests that certain personal characteristics of counselors contribute substantially to the effectiveness of changing the behavior of clients. Traits of genuineness, empathy and warmth are characteristic of effective counselors and academic training is less important, as shown by a study involving trained and untrained personnel. Trainers of counselors must also be individuals who have shown competence in counseling, rather than in verbal skills or research techniques. A new source of rehabilitation personnel may be found by establishing voluntary service organizations, similar to Vista or the Peace Corps, which young Americans may prefer instead of the draft. Besides alleviating the shortage of rehabilitation counselors, the organizations could serve the young by helping them to develop self-images and find their bearings. Voluntary service could also lead to further, professional training. (JS)