Woodside & McClam. 2009. 6th Edition.

CA: Brooks/Cole

These themes and purposes have emerged over the past five decades. These themes include:
Concerns with problems in living Increase in problems in our modern world The need for self-sufficiency The goals for social care, social control, and rehabilitation. Woodside & McClam (2009)

What is meant by Problems in Living?

Human services has developed in response to the needs of individuals, groups, or communities for assistance to live better lives. Some problems in living include adolescent rebellion, parenthood, mid-life crises, caring for aging parents, and death and dying. Others arise in connection with family and community; these may include relating to children, parents, and spouses; maintaining progress in education; adapting to a new culture and language, and sustaining work performance. An important aspect of problems in living is individuals encountering difficulty in interacting with their environment. Human services addresses problems in living, with a focus on both the individual or group and the situation or event (Woodside & McClam , 2009).

Define Growing Problems in the Modern World.

Human services has emerged in response to the growth in human problems in the modern world. A growing number of people feel alienated and isolated from their neighbors and communities. Individuals worry and stress about meeting their basic needs. Illiteracy, a lack of employable skills, and unemployment rates and low wages add to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, particularly in the technology age. There are also concerns about overpopulation, malnutrition, the environment, nuclear war, terrorism, genocide, and religious and social conflict, gas and energy prices, the housing market, failing financial institutions, etc. An effective system will help those in need of addressing such issues. Woodside & McClam (2009).

What is meant by Self-sufficiency?

A key to successful service delivery is providing clients with the opportunity and support to be self-sufficient. Economic self-sufficiency strengthens an individuals selfesteem. It is important to empower clients to make decisions and assume responsibility for their actions. Clients are encouraged to be independent and gain control of their own lives as soon as they are able. They gain belief in themselves or the efficacy to make the changes needed to be self-sufficient (Woodside & McClam, 2009).

What is the difference between Social Care, Social Control, and Rehabilitation?

Social care is assisting clients in meeting their social needs, with the focus on those who cannot care for themselves (elderly, children, victims of crime, disasters, or crisis). Social control differs from social care in two fundamental ways: who receives the services and under what conditions they receive them. Most recipients of social control are able to care for themselves but have either failed to do so or have done so in a manner that violates societys norms for appropriate behavior. The purpose of such services is to monitor or restrict clients independence for a specific time because of law violation (those in the criminal justice system). Rehabilitation is the task of returning an individual to a prior level of functioning (veterans, those with physical disabilities, victims of trauma) (Woodside & McClam , 2009).

Name the three disciplines that inform the interdisciplinary nature of human services and define each.

The three primary academic disciplines that provide an integration of knowledge are sociology, psychology, and anthropology. Each discipline brings a unique perspective to the understanding of the nature of the individual, families, and groups of people. They focus upon the context of the environment in which daily living occurs and the interaction between the two (Woodside & McClam, 2009).

Examines the ways in which human societies influence the people who live in these societies. Sociology assesses the individual and the broader culture, and tries to account for and understand the differences within human culture. It helps human service professionals understand elements of life that affect living, such as family structure, family roles, gender, race, and poverty. Woodside & McClam, 2009).

Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. It embraces all aspects of the human experience from the functions of the brain to the actions of nations, from child development to care for the aged. It examines how people think, feel, and behave and explores why they think, feel, and behave. Psychology analyzes behavior and mental processes from the physiological, behavioral, cognitive, and psychodynamic perspectives (Woodside & McClam, 2009).

Anthropology studies the cultural, physical, and social development of humans and the variation in their customs and beliefs. They study culture in its broadest sense. They may study groups who live in remote areas of the globe or individuals in the mainstream culture in diverse settings. They may work in the business environment studying such topics as the culture of work, employee relations, and human resources. In this context, they are learning about employee problems on the job by learning about employee perceptions and behavior. By integrating disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and anthropology, human services professionals can attain knowledge of individuals, an understanding of society and its relationship to individuals and families, and the culture in which people live . This allows them to relate to their clients more effectively (Woodside & McClam, 2009).

The delivery of human services involves both the client and the helper. Clients are active participants in many different systems that influence their circumstances. Services must be delivered with an understanding of the clients culture and with the clients participation. Helpers must attempt to see situations through the clients eyes. Professionals must also function as educators and help clients to develop certain skills to increase their intellectual, emotional, and behavioral options. Clients should be treated as thinking, feeling, and acting human beings who are capable of change (Woodside & McClam, 2009).

Name and define the three management principles related to service delivery in human services organizations?

Three principles characterize service delivery: networking to develop a human service umbrella/ bridge, forming teams and partnerships, and using case management. Human services is not a single service delivery system but a complex web of helping agencies and organizations. It encompasses several services but is not limited to child, youth, and family services; corrections; mental health; public health; crisis intervention; and education. An effective service delivery system includes increased communication, cooperation, and collaboration among helpers and agencies. Scarce resources has altered service delivery philosophy by limiting services, tightening eligibility criteria, and focusing on short-term interventions (Woodside & McClam, 2009).

Networking is linking human service agencies. It is building bridges between agencies, organizations, and services. Teamwork principles include:

The customer is central to the planning & delivery of services. Members of teams must work together cooperatively. Continual communication between team members. Shared responsibility, authority, and accountability. Partnerships are formed when two or more human service organizations agree to work together toward a common goal. The goal of case management is to teach those who need assistance to manage their own lives & to support them when expertise is needed or a crisis occurs Woodside & McClam, (2009).

Services are provided in a variety of settings. Helpers need a broad-based education and willingness to adapt to changing roles and circumstances. The generalist has the knowledge, values, and skills to perform several job functions in various environments. They use both micro and macro perspectives. The micro system is represented by the individuals in the clients environment and might include family, friends, teachers, coworkers, and individuals within the human service delivery system. The macro system is represented by the organizations, agencies, communities, and neighborhood locations where clients interact (Woodside & McClam, 2009).

Volunteers contribute considerable staff power within the human service sector. They are valuable resources, particularly in times of decreased funding. They personalize services, can be good advocates, and brings new skills and interests and a high level of enthusiasm to an agency setting. Self-help groups consist of laypeople from all walks of life who come together to create a mutual support system to meet their own needs. Members share a common problem, they consider themselves peers, and they organize separately from human services organizations. Such groups raise consciousness, secure political rights, and provide support for behavior changes. Mother Against Drunk Driving (MADD) (Woodside & McClam, 2009).

The professional activities of human service helpers are often discussed in professional literature and are defined by the helpers relationship with clients and other professionals, academic training, ethical standards, continuing education, and measured competence (Woodside & McClam, 2009).