Kenneth M. Coll

Empirical Implications for the Training and Professional Development of Community College Counselors

Counselor education programs, which represent the major training environment for community college counselors, are currently identifying training needs to effectively prepare mental health counselors (Lewis & Lewis, 1981; Nejedlo, Arredondo & Benjamin, 1985; West, Hosie & Mackey, 1988). This is also true of school counseling programs (Carey, Reinat & Fontes, 1990) and student personnel affairs programs (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, 1988). However, community college counselor training may be neglected in these programs. Only certain aspects of mental health, school counseling and college student services personnel training are appropriate for community college counselors. To many in the counselor education field, community college counselors are considered student personnel workers. Yet student personnel training is typically oriented toward four-year colleges and universities, and emphasizes specialized student services. Community college student services typically operate with combined services. For example, most community colleges offer counseling, career development, academic advising and orientation under the service area of counseling. These services are segmented into four separate units at most fouryear colleges and universities. Other counselor educators view community colleges as extensions of high schools, so school counseling training is deemed appropriate. The drawback to this perception is that the community college population is drastically different from the high school population. The typical community college student today is female, divorced, has children and is in her late 20s (Cohen & Brawer, 1989). Clearly, the developmental needs of community college students are quite different than those of high school students. Many counselor education programs do not reflect the similarities in duties between a mental health/community counselor and a community college coun-

COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES: A NATIONAL SURVEY OF PERCEPTIONS AND PROCEDURES

This study was undertaken to investigate the perceptions held by developmental educators and counselors—student affairs professionals of current procedures for working with students with learning disabilities in community colleges. Current knowledge of students with learning disabilities and perceptions about their academic success were also examined. Implications for practice based on the results of this study were included.

JOB SATISFACTION AMONG COMMUNITY COLLEGE COUNSELORS

This study examined job satisfaction and factors influencing job satisfaction among community college counselors. Findings revealed that counselors are generally dissatisfied with their leadership, and that teaching load, job title, incompatible demands, unclear explanations, and conflicting resources all significantly affect counselor job satisfaction.

The Value of Lakota Traditional Healing for Youth Resiliency and Family Functioning

ABSTRACT This article reports research findings on the impact of Oglala Lakota Sioux traditional healing on family functioning and youth resiliency where trauma, abuse, or violence are often present. Caregivers of Lakota youth struggling with serious emotional and behavioral problems participated in the study. The study included both quantitative and qualitative samples: 27 families for the quantitative sample and 8 families for the qualitative sample. Results from caregivers revealed that traditional healing and cultural practices, as well as the promotion of cultural identity, had statistically significant positive effects on the perceived familial and individual functioning of Lakota youth and their families. Effect sizes indicate that the results have strong practical significance.

Treatment Outcome Differences Between Youth Offenders From a Rural Joint Commission Accredited Residential Treatment Center and a Rural Non-Accredited Center

This study was undertaken to investigate the treatment outcome differences between youth offenders from the joint commission accredited residential treatment center (RTC) and youth from a non-accredited center. Results showed that youth from the accredited center reported significantly more progress.

A FRAMEWORK FOR EVALUATING COMMUNITY COLLEGE COUNSELING PROGRAMS AND FUNCTIONS: SHOWING CONTRIBUTIONS THROUGH STUDENT SUCCESS

This article describes a framework for the comprehensive evaluation of counseling programs and functions within the community college, using Astins student success conceptualization. Some evaluative results using this framework are included. With such a framework, counselors can clearly show their contributions to the community college and the students they serve. The topic of counselors as sources of pertinent information about campus students in general is also discussed.

Challenges and Culturally Relevant Treatment Strategies for American Indian Youth in Therapeutic Residential Care: A Pilot Study

Using a comparison group of non–American Indian youth, a field-based pilot study was undertaken to investigate the challenges and risks of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth in therapeutic residential care. Results show key differences between AI/AN and non-AI/AN groups and underscore the importance of implementing culturally relevant treatment strategies for AI/AN youth in therapeutic residential care.