Changing Contexts of Practice: Challenges for Social Work and Community Development

ABSTRACT

In a rapidly changing global environment, there have been renewed calls to position community development more centrally in social work, particularly in the face of contemporary practice challenges. This paper analyses the broad policy contexts of neoliberalism, globalisation, and governance change and discusses how these forces interact with social work and community development, drawing on examples from Australia and Ireland. The paper argues that sociopolitical forces both restrict and present opportunities for social work and community development practice and we seek to reactivate debate about the position of community development within changing and challenging contexts.

IMPLICATIONS

• Contextualises community development practice, policy, and research within contemporary environments of neoliberalism, globalisation, and governance change.

• Critically evaluates implications and new opportunities for social work and community development, drawing on examples from Australia and Ireland.

• Reactivates debate and analysis on the position of community development in contemporary social work as we move forward into the new decade, and the next global agenda for social work and social development.

     

What are Social Work Students’ Perceptions of the Community Practice Method?

Summary. A unique aspect of the social work profession is the combination of intervention on the personal, community, and societal levels and their interaction. The purpose of this research is to determine students’ perceptions of community practice. Qualitative research was conducted among Israeli social work students before gaining any practical experience in community practice. Findings. The results demonstrated a change in students’ perceptions of the importance of community practice to the profession, and the factors that contributed to this change. Applications. Recommendations that may contribute to changing students’ perceptions of community practice are offered to educators.     

Use of the Internet for Community Practice

ABSTRACT

The Internet is a relatively new community practice tool with immense potential for more effective and efficient delivery of services. The lack of research about Internet community practice is an obstacle to the effective and efficient use of Internet tools. This research used the Delphi technique to elicit the opinions of experts on how the Internet tools of email, newsgroups, text, listservs, search engines, and chat are used by the four primary models of community practice found on the Internet (information dissemination, organization building, mobilization, and community planning). Findings show that a substantial number of people use community practice sites. The most useful Internet tools for the four Internet community practice models studied were text presentation and email. The least useful tools were newsgroups and chat. Barriers to Internet community practice include quality and currency of information, bandwidth, staff time, agency support, rapid technological change, marketing, browser consistency, user skills, and the lack of Internet access by potential users. The study concluded that Internet community practice is effective and will continue to grow as society enters the information age. The findings are particularly relevant for community practice agencies interested in setting up or enhancing an agency Web site to help provide services.     

Reshaping to serve evolving communities: Addressing immigrant needs in the library

Abstract

Libraries face evolving communities and must constantly reorient themselves to serve new needs. This article examines the impact of emerging immigrant communities on library services. It discusses the emergence of library services to immigrants and the diverse faces of these services, which may include foreign language collections, access to technology and connections with local services, as appropriately determined through community analysis. The Atwater Library and Computer Centre in Montréal, Québec is examined as a case study of community analysis informing service reorientation. This article will be useful for organizations working with immigrants or community service providers confronted with changing demographics.     

Fighting Social Problems with Information

ABSTRACT

Computer technology enables communities to synthesize large, complex, and disparate datasets into a centralized database. Such integration can provide a community with essential information on rates, trends, and risk factors associated with a particular social problem. This article will discuss the development and implementation of the Violence Information Network, a community database devoted to the surveillance of violence and its related factors. The VIN development is presented as a prototype on which communities can design information databases tailored to their specific needs. The challenges encountered during development are discussed. Future directions for the VIN are also highlighted.     

Information and computer technology use in Australian social work education

Abstract

Computer technology is now an every day aspect of both our personal and professional lives. Recently however, concern has been raised as to the preparedness of social work students to use this tool effectively when entering the practice setting. This paper sets out to address the issue by investigating the extent and ways in which computer technology is included in four-year full time Australian social work degree programs. A national study of Australian academics was conducted and the main themes to emerge were: 1) information and computer technology was considered important for social work education and practice; 2) educators need to understand technology if they are to incorporate it effectively within their curricula; 3) the inclusion of technology in social work education should be approached with caution to ensure it is used appropriately to enhance students' learning while maintaining the guiding values and principles of practice of the social work profession; and 4) that students are aware of the legal and ethical use of technology in practice.     

Bibliography

Summary

Advocates for the application of computer technology in the human services assume that it promotes practice and organizational effectiveness as well as efficiency. Opponents claim that it fragments practice and reinforces the worst, most punitive, and counter-productive aspects of bureaucracy. While each of these positions rests on conflicting theoretical assumptions about the nature of practice, organizational structures, professionalization and information technology, proponents and opponents alike have failed to provide evidence to support their positions or even to recognize that these issues can be framed and tested empirically.

This paper proposes the use of a comparative research design for studying the effect or computerization on program effectiveness and outlines a range of variables which need to be taken into account in addressing the differential impact of computerization on social work practice.     

Staying Current with Gay and Lesbian Research and Practice Knowledge

Abstract

The field of gay and lesbian psychotherapy has grown dramatically over the last two decades. Indeed, there is an increasing number of professional journals and books, which makes staying current in any area of mental health a full-time job. Many clinicians can feel daunted by having to remain up-to-date in their subspecialty, as well as in the mental health field in general. In addition, there are many allied fields of medicine, sociology, biology, and gerontology which contribute to the richness and complexity. We are a heterogeneous community, mixed by gender, race, ethnicity, class, religion, and other demographics, each of which has special characteristics for us to know and understand. Being current and remaining current are two distinct and formidable tasks. This paper will focus upon how clinicians in private practice stay current in the field of research and practice knowledge while working in the gay and lesbian community. While hoping to provide some sources of information, this paper only begins to address some of the areas of research which affect our communities.     

Human Services and the Information Economy

SUMMARY

This article discusses the impact of the information economy on human services. The major topics discussed include: the changing nature of work, the impact of the cost of adoption of technology by the human services, the changing expectations the public has for agency use of technology, the move to electronic record keeping and data management, the need for developing a data integrity management process, and the impact of the Internet and intranets on software development.     

A comment on ‘Reconstructing and re-conceptualising social work in the emerging milieu’

Abstract

The article by McDonald and Jones raises some very important issues for Australian social work, and identifies some of the key decisions that social workers in Australia will be required to make if their practice is to maintain some degree of relevance in the changing context of the early twenty-first century.     

What I do I understand: Teaching community work in the Australian Capital Territory

Abstract

Social work students need to develop both theoretical and practical foundations of knowledge. In a period where community practice is becoming more marginalised the Australian Catholic University subject Social Work Practice with Communities is a core component in the two year professional degree program. It combines an experience based learning approach with traditional teaching methods. Through community projects students learn real-life problem solving and gain confidence in their abilities as community workers. The paper focuses on the relationship between gaining knowledge of conceptual frameworks for community work practice and learning skills. It reviews educational considerations in teaching a subject where conceptual, practical and theoretical components are equally important for competent practice. It demonstrates how the School promotes community work.     

Social Capital and Local Economic Development: Implications for Community Social Work Practice

Summary

Although the concept of social capital has direct relevance to community practice, it is not widely known in social work. This paper defines the concept, traces the development of social capital theory, and examines ways in which community social workers can promote local economic development by enhancing social capital. It contends that community social workers can make a major contribution to local economic development by implementing projects that mobilize social capital and promote the material well-being of local people.     

'Ancient + Future = Now': Goa Gil and Transnational Neo-Tribalism in Global Rave Culture

Abstract

This article posits the case study of rave music DJ Goa Gil as a dynamic example of the transnational, deterritorializing flows that inform the community formation and signifying practices of contemporary rave culture. Intended as a commentary on the changing nature of subcultural formation and practice, Goa Gil's story reveals a complex pattern of transnational and transcultural networks and exchanges. From 1960s American hippy to global rave music DJ, guru, and nomad, Goa Gil is one of the subculture's progenitors of neo-tribalism, a discursive and symbolic trope that allows ravers to imagine, and give name to, their transnational communities of affect that cross national and cultural borders. Set within a social context of advanced information technologies and rapidly changing modes of communication, neo-tribalism, as a critical concept, can be easily applied to any number of communities of affect across the globe, paving the way for a re-evaluation of (sub)cultural inter-connectedness in the early twenty-first century.     

Social Work Education and Direct Practice in the Computer Age

Abstract

This paper assesses the mission of social work education in the electronic information age. Educators must prepare students to use computers in practice, develop practice-relevant software, and protect and empower those who might be victimized by information technology. Issues and tasks associated with each of these areas are discussed in detail.     

Information Systems and Mental Health Services

Summary

This paper examines issues related to applying information technology in behalf of mental health service delivery systems. Each of these issues has an impact on how well information technology has been able to serve the mental health system. These are not primarily information technology issues. They are concerns that have to do with the structure of the mental health system; the way management might use an information system; and the role of money and power in the mental health system. How these issues are resolved will have a major impact on how well the promise inherent in information technology is realized in the coming decade.     

Senator John Breaux: The Elder Justice Proposal of 2002

ABSTRACT

The number of older Americans is steadily rising, and with it will come a concomitant increase in abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The Elder Justice Act will provide federal resources for state and community efforts as well as for research. The major purposes of the Act are to: elevate the issue of elder justice, improve the quality of information about the problem, increase knowledge and promising practices, develop forensic capacity, ensure “safe havens,” increase prosecution, supply needed training to many disciplines, address the issue in underserved populations, review model laws and practices, further security and improve information in long-term care, and encourage greater systemic accountability.     

Computer-Supported Distance Art Therapy: A Focus on Traumatic Illness

SUMMARY

Recent research has documented the growing gap between those who have access to information technology and those who do not. Reviewing available literature regarding the lack of access to computers and technology by oppressed groups, this paper discusses problems inherent in ignoring this issue in social work education and practice. Finally, some of the promising interventions currently used to address problems of access are outlined and recommendations for social workers are highlighted.     

Building Solidarity Through Difference: A Practice Model for Critical Multicultural Organizing

ABSTRACT

Building solidarity is perhaps the most crucial, yet under-theorized, process in organizing for social change. Traditional models of union and neighborhood-based organizing associate solidarity with commonality, as opposed to difference. However, this traditional organizing model is being forced to adapt to an increasingly multicultural context, presenting a need for rethinking past practices and creating new frameworks for multicultural organizing. Theoretical work on the topic has been relatively detached from action on the ground, with few efforts to translate it into community organizing practice. This article develops a practice model for critical multicultural organizing drawing on a five-year qualitative, participatory evaluation of youth participation in grassroots community organizations. As well as offering insight into the efforts of young people to organize around neighborhood issues in largely low-income and racially diverse communities of color, the cases highlight inclusive practices that will help any organization become more sustainable and effective.     

Information Poverty and the Latino Community

Abstract

Social work education can help students to reach a higher understanding of the impact of information poverty on the Latino community by systematically integrating this content into social work curriculum areas of information society, information poverty, and Latino communities. The authors examine the prospects for poverty and inequality in the Latino community as the United States emerges into the information economy and suggest that the Latino population may continue to be at risk for poverty in the information age. This article reviews indicators such as education, access to computers and network communications that may influence access to the emerging economic order and offers technology-based practice strategies, such as community net works and e-commerce, to create local empowerment. It provides recommendations for curriculum development.