Social service agencies and practitioners are continually challenged to provide services that are effective for, and reflective of, cultural and religious diversity. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 50 social work practitioners in four Canadian cities to gain insight into methods of practice that are culturally sensitive for work with…

The aim of this study was to explore the extent to which the person-in-environment approach is part of the professional ideology of social workers in Israel and the degree to which they actualize it in their professional practice. The study examines the perceived importance of various goals of the social work profession and the perceived…

A quantitative descriptive survey of a national sample of social workers (N = 206) examined discrepancies between belief in the NASW "Code of Ethics" and behavior in implementing the code and social workers' disjunctive distress (disjuncture) when belief and behavior are discordant. Relationships between setting and disjuncture and ethics…

This article describes the experiences and perspectives of child welfare workers and maltreated children living in Japanese state care. Japanese adults emphasize supporting children's emotional well-being and empowerment through developmentally and ecologically focused socialization strategies. One developmental goal articulated by caregivers of…

Explores concept of empowerment-based social work practice and its application in public child welfare. Uses organizational theory to identify characteristics of child welfare agencies that impinge on empowerment-based practice and suggests strategies for staff to become more powerful in their dealings with the agency and community. (Author/ABL)

Examines the significance of reclassification in public welfare, focusing on the Michigan plan of reclassification as a case study. The National Association of Social Worker's (NASW's) current strategy in addressing reclassification is evaluated and several alternative strategies and policies for the organization are considered. (JAC)

Discusses the historical and structural context in which the purchase and contracting of child welfare services has developed in Massachusetts. Concludes that the contracting process is a potentially dominant factor in specifying the roles of the voluntary and public sectors as well as the opportunities and constraints for collaboration between…

Evaluating a federal agency's success in stimulating and broadening the program efforts of community organizations present a challenge to social science researchers. The authors describe a methodology developed and used effectively in one metropolitan area to measure program change. They identify and utilize the findings to show how greater change…

Most clients throughout the history of social work have participated in brief treatment only. The authors suggest that this fact of clinical life be taken into account in administrative and therapeutic planning. (Author)

Voluntary funding organizations face increasing public demands for accountability in the use of funds. This article presents a model for evaluating the effectiveness of agency programs and discusses its applicability to the process of allocating funds. (Author)

Author discusses accountability controversy concerning effectiveness of social services. Turem's mechanistic and Gruber's organic models of accountability are compared and an alternate open system model of organization is offered which combines positive aspects of Turem's and Gruber's models as well as adds other constructive elements to them. (SE)

Why are child welfare agencies more hospitable to assessment than family service agencies? What are the implications for other fields of practice? These and other issues are discussed, along with a useful formula for studying practice principles. To illustrate this formula, agency-based demonstration programs are described. (Author)

Examines the organizational binds facing social workers concerned with the provision of services to clients in times of fiscal restraint. Suggests a mutual support group as a step toward empowerment. Workers may shift from a support group to a coalition for action as change agents within institutional settings. (JAC)

The family is once again being asked to assume its major function as care-giver for the long-term mentally ill. Is the family able to support chronic mental patients? Is it willing to assume responsibility for these patients? Addresses and discusses implications of family policy for community care. (Author)

The new role for the nonprofessional Puerto Rican court workers, who represented Puerto Rican youths at court, comprised four major activities: (1) case finding, (2) cross cultural interpretation, (3) representing the Puerto Rican social environment, and (4) acting as a bridgeman between the Puerto Rican community and New York City agencies.…