Purpose: This study aimed to explore the health literacy profile of individuals attending a metropolitan community rehabilitation center in Victoria, Australia. Methods: 295 consecutive attendees of a community rehabilitation program between January and August 2015 were invited to complete the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), a 44-item…

Research has consistently demonstrated that young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer (LGBQ) show greater levels of psychosocial risk than general cohorts of young people. Young people engaged with youth alcohol and other drug (AOD) services are some of the most marginalized of all young people. Hitherto research is yet to…

The co-occurrence of substance use and mental health problems, often referred to as dual diagnosis (DD), is increasingly recognised as commonplace within substance abuse treatment programs. Two-hundred and thirty-four individuals from 9 Australian Salvation Army drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs completed a 3-month post-discharge telephone…

In the twenty-first century, a socially just system of schooling prepares all young people to adapt to new technologies, and participate in a global economy that is highly differentiated at the local level. In Australia and other countries where local markets have become heavily dependent on service economies, "working-class" families…

Rehabilitation of offenders is, at present, an important focus among many correctional departments. A substantial body of international research literature now exists to guide the design and development of new programs that aim to reduce re-offending. However, successful implementation of these programs has been challenging for many correctional…

Although the need for the development and provision of culturally appropriate rehabilitation programs for offenders is widely acknowledged, there is a lack of empirical data that can be used as a basis for the development of new programs. This article reports the findings of a comparison of indigenous and nonindigenous male prisoners on a range of…

This qualitative study investigates the views of clients with low vision and vision rehabilitation professionals on the involvement of family and friends in group-based rehabilitation programs. Both groups outlined advantages and disadvantages to involving significant others, and it is essential that clients are given the choice. Future work is…

The author describes rehabilitation services he observed in Australia. He comments on programs (and notes a lack of collaboration), philosophy, and the gaps between research and practice. He cites five overall problems including lack of opportunities for vocational placement and overdependence on vocational or sheltered workshop-type training…

Discusses the application of the "what works" approach to the rehabilitation of indigenous Australian offenders. Those from indigenous cultures may not share the theoretical assumptions that underpin this approach, calling into question the appropriateness of these rehabilitation programs. Presents options for understanding cultural…

Background: This paper investigates the efficacy of a treatment program for sexual offenders with special needs in comparison to treatment outcomes for mainstream sexual offenders. Follow-up data is also presented for the group of offenders with special needs. Method: Participants from the two groups were matched on four variables (risk category,…

This monograph presents a "state of the art" overview of contemporary aphasia rehabilitation policies and resources in Asia and the Pacific region. Following Martha Taylor Sarno's introduction, Sumiko Sasanuma discusses the history and development of Japan's aphasia rehabilitation services, focusing on demography and data sources,…

Examines the experiences of participants in a wilderness camp program. Findings reveal that the 10 adolescents and police officers participating expressed similar goals, citing freedom, physical, and career goals as most important. Both groups wanted to improve their image and also improve relationships between young people and the police. (RJM)

Alternatives to the present system of specialized service agencies for the blind in Australia are suggested as ways of changing stereotypes about blind persons and providing better services to the visually handicapped. (Author/GW)

The Royal Blind Society of New South Wales sponsors a program called Sportskills Week in which individuals with visual impairments are provided opportunities to pursue goals common to the population as a whole. Sighted athletes who assist in the program take their expertise back to local communities to develop additional programs. (JDD)

In this paper we offer an overview of reintegration policies in both Australia and New Zealand. We describe the rehabilitative practices of both countries, and their basis in the Risk-Needs-Responsivity model of offender rehabilitation, before outlining the recently developed Good Lives Model of offender rehabilitation. Our conclusion is that the…