The Impact of Small Computers upon Human Services Delivery to Families

No abstract available for this article.     

The LivePerson Model for Delivery of Etherapy Services: A Case Study

ABSTRACT

There are several models for the delivery of etherapy on the Internet. This article presents a case study of one model, the LivePerson website. The model is based on a privately owned infrastructure through which etherapy is practiced by licensed counselors using chat or e-mail for service delivery. A content analysis of the website is presented, including policies, number of consumers, consumer ratings, and therapists’ degrees, licensure, age, sex, race, fees, and languages offered. In addition, the experiences of one LivePerson practitioner are presented to highlight methods, processes, and ethical concerns. This case study of the LivePerson model for service delivery highlights many of the benefits and concerns previously discussed in the literature related to etherapy. In addition, concerns are raised that there may be some conflict of interest when ethical standards of practice are delivered within the context of a profit-making company.     

Implications of Sociopolitical Context for Career Services Delivery

This article analyzes the implications of sociopolitical context for career services delivery. Beginning with a reflection on the social foundations of the practice of career counseling, 4 specific Portuguese conditions are presented and discussed in light of existing knowledge in the field. The 4 underlying issues presented are (a) the impact of political changes on career services delivery, (b) the rigidity vs. flexibility of the educational system, (c) political and psychological perspectives on employment, and (d) the relationship between power and career services delivery. A research agenda founded in political anthropology is proposed that may enhance future career services delivery.     

Human Services on Cable

No abstract available for this article.     

Empowering Human Services Staff

No abstract available for this article.     

Genealogy and Ideology of Taiwan Homeless Delivery Services

Abstract

Since the mid-1990s, the number of homeless in Taiwan has been increasing. Politicians, policy makers, and service providers frequently debate whether the government should provide services for the homeless. Democracy and economic change have increased the number of homeless in Taiwan. However, the current homeless problem is also a product of a conservative welfare ideology based on family values and moral judgments. This study has implications for social workers and policy makers. (1) A universal principle for nationwide homeless delivery systems is required. (2) Restrictions that prohibit adults and youths with families providing little support from entering shelters should be eliminated. (3) Employment consultation and housing compensation should be provided to assist street people in re-entering mainstream society. (4) Supportive relationships with mainstream- based outreach services should be developed.     

Desktop Publishing for Human Services

Abstract

Computers, especially microcomputers, are helping human service agencies gather and organize an ever-growing amount of information. The new area of desktop publishing can help agencies present that information to clients, funding sources, reporting agencies, and the community, in a clear and easy to understand manner. Desktop publishing can result in professional looking documents at a fraction of the cost of traditional typesetting methods. This paper outlines some of the concepts and benefits of desktop publishing for human services, and points out some of the potential pitfalls.     

Spreadsheet Analysis in Human Services

Abstract

Computerized spreadsheets were developed to support accounting functions, but these programs have come to have much broader applications. This chapter introduces spreadsheet analysis, briefly explains key concepts used in creating spreadsheets, and finally gives examples from direct practice and human service administration. While spreadsheets can be used for any task that requires manipulation of numbers or use of a calculator, they are most useful in producing charts and tables and for modeling problems requiring “what if” projections.     

Overcoming Barriers to Homeless Delivery Services: A Community Response

Homelessness is one of the most pressing social problems today. The Institute of Medicine defines the problem as a failure in the support systems created to prevent the problem and a tighter housing market. The assumption is that the support system should help to prevent the occurrence of homelessness. The Eastern Fairfield County area performed a study to look at the relationship between those services serving people who are homeless and near homeless to determine the availability, accessibility, and adequacy of services for homeless people. The study identified several barriers in the service delivery system. A strategy was then developed to address these barriers. This paper shows how a research process can facilitate a community response to a social problem. The paper presents the steps that were taken so other communities may replicate the process.     

Overcoming Barriers to Homeless Delivery Services: A Community Response

Homelessness is one of the most pressing social problems today. The.lnstitute of Medicine defines the problem as a failure in the support systems created to prevent the problem and a tighter housing market. The assumption is that the support system should help to prevent the occurrence of homelessness. The Eastern Fairfield County area peiformed a study to look at the relationship between those services serving people who are homeless and near homeless to determine the availability, accessibility, and adequacy of services for homeless people. The study identified several barriers in the service delivery system. A strategy was then developed to address these barriers. This paper shows how a research process can facilitate a community response to a social problem. The paper presents the steps that were taken so other communities may replicate the process.     

Geographic Information Systems and Human Services

Geographic Information Systems (GISs) are pictorial representations of information and are quite useful in understanding social welfare problems and showing social work clients in their environment. This paper presents GIS as a potential tool for social work research, planning, management, and administration. It includes sections defining GID, explaining the possibilties for GIS use in human services, presenting a case study using geographic information, advising potential GIS users, and discussing the implications for social work education.     

Online Fundraising in the Human Services

SUMMARY

This paper examines emerging possibilities for use of the Internet in human service fundraising. Human service managers must compete for limited funds with their counterparts in educational, religious, health, and other nonprofit organizations. There is enormous potential for raising funds over the Internet; yet, this approach to resource development may not be appropriate or effective in some instances for certain human service agencies. The selection of fundraising approach must be consistent with the organizational context in which it is used. This paper provides examples of cases where use of the Internet may prove to be an effective method for human service fundraising. It also examines cases where use of the Internet may not be a good match for the organizational context, whether in terms of ethics or dollars raised.     

New Technology and the Human Services

Summary

Much has been written about the effects of new technology on the human services and about its possible implications for agencies, practitioners and service users. There is also an important and expanding literature on the implications of new technology for society as a whole, including much which addresses issues of social justice. Until recently, however, there have been only a few attempts to explore the range of issues specifically concerning the relationship between social justice and the human services. My main purpose here is to start to sketch out the parameters of the field of study relating new technology to social justice in the human services and to explore some of them in depth.

Three examples of different definitions of social justice are introduced, viz.; justice as equity; flexible individualised justice; and empowerment. Then normative and ethical considerations in relation to new technology in the human services are briefly reviewed. In the main body of this paper these issues are brought together in relation to three key areas (i) the manager/professional interface (ii) strategies for new technology implementation-top down or bottom up and (iii) the relationship between social worker and service user. Finally some conclusions are drawn about the possibilities for a synthesis between competing visions of social justice.     

Defining Computer Literacy in Human Services

Abstract

Computer literacy in human services is defined as an intersection of both computer and human services abilities. With different levels of ability possible, a matrix is created which can be used to operationally define computer literacy within any area of human service practice. Child protective work is used to demonstrate the utility of this definitional approach. Various issues within computer literacy are also discussed.     

Statistical Software in the Human Services

Abstract

This article reviews past uses of statistical software in human services organizations and surveys recent developments in the software and its modern substitutes. It proposes four computer literacy standards for human services professionals: (The ability to) (1) choose appropriate software for data analysis tasks, (2) build and analyze small, user-generated data sets, (3) read and analyze external, machine-readable data, and (4) read and analyze internal, machine-readable data. The author concludes that developments in statistical and substitute software have greatly expanded data analysts' options for working with both internal and external data. The developments should help human services pioneers explore both the old frontier of “data rich, information poor” organizations and the new frontier of decision support and expert systems.     

Multicultural Competence in Nevada Human Services

SUMMARY

A survey of 300 Nevada mental health, child welfare, early childhood, and parole workers provided baseline information concerning multicultural competence for use in planning diversity programs. A modified version of the Multicultural Counseling Inventory yielded data on awareness, knowledge, skills, and relationship. Significant findings emerged for gender, educational level, practice field, and minority status. Women scored higher than men on the total and three subscales. Workers with graduate degrees scored higher than BA level workers on the total and two subscales. Early childhood workers scored highest on the total; youth parole scored lowest. Minority workers scored higher than non-minority workers in awareness.     

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.