The Rehabilitation Counselor Education Program (RCEP)* in the UH Mānoa College of Education Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science (KRS) was awarded a $1M long-term training grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Funding for the project, Pursuing Excellence in Rehabilitation Counseling, will provide tuition assistance for 30 eligible RCEP students.

Dr. Kathryn K. Yamamoto, Associate Professor and RCEP Director, stated, “We are so grateful to receive this grant award from the U.S. DOE Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). Because of severe shortages of professionals in the State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation system, the need for highly qualified rehabilitation professionals who can serve adults and youths with disabilities and challenges is high.”

RCEP prepares graduate students to become successful practitioners in the field of vocational rehabilitation (VR). This three-year, 48-credit distance education program leads to a Master of Science (MS) degree in KRS with a specialization in Rehabilitation Counseling.

“One of our goals of this project is to facilitate the placement of 30 qualified graduates into the State VR agency or into other appropriate agencies serving persons with disabilities,” Yamamoto concluded.

*The RCEP program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and has a multicultural focus. For further information, please check out the RCEP website.