This article describes the work of the Circle of Courage, a cross-cultural group committed to improving the cultural competence of organizations providing services to Aboriginal populations in a midsized city in Canada. Rather than concentrating on individuals' cultural competence, the Circle targets mainstream organizations. Many of its…

Administrative human service units require an information system that supports decisions regarding case management, treatment planning, monitoring, and evaluation. An integrated information system that utilizes a relational database for both direct practice and administrative decision making is described. (Author/ABB)

Discusses the effect of the current economic crisis on the administration of human service agencies. Offers a systematic approach to managing such agencies with limited financial, human, and physical resources. Emphasizes the need for administrators to utilize the minimum amount of agency resources to provide clients with effective services.…

This document discusses the development and implementation of a multiservice center that could offer a variety of human social services in a single location. The paper focuses on seven components of the center's operation: governance, organizational structure, core services, joint funding, joint planning, joint programming, and evaluation. The…

A systematic investigation was conducted into the nature of interagency cooperative relationships to identify characteristics, factors, and components. Through a review of the literature, terms were defined, and incentives and benefits, facilitators, and barriers were identified. A naturalistic approach to inquiry was used to study the interagency…

Presents some principles for promoting interdisciplinary education and research within a university and facilitating mutually beneficial relations between university faculty and community human service providers. Includes examples from the experience of the University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development. (EVL)

Offers detailed guidelines that could be used as standard operating procedures for the merger of voluntary social service agencies. Discusses a survey of 32 agencies that merged during the years 1973 to 1986. Issues related to the roles of organization, staff, and service delivery in such mergers receive particular attention. (Author/BB)

This resource lists key staff and contact information for federal, state, territorial, county, and major municipal public human service agencies in the United States and Canada. The directory is organized into five sections: (1) state agencies; (2) federal agencies; (3) Canadian agencies; (4) international social services agencies; and (5)…

A study examined United Way's role in solving illiteracy. Concerns of four major constituencies were identified. University representatives saw illiteracy as threatening the social well-being of those affected and seriously damaging the principle of equal opportunity. Business persons felt that illiteracy threatened the nation's competitive edge…

Recent cutbacks have diminished the ability of public agencies to offer needed training to employees. An internal program--peer training--is defined and advocated as an alternative of choice for many training situations. The advantages and disadvantages are presented. Emphasizes the need for a program that complements existing relationships.…

Combines two major sociological formulations, primary and secondary systems and pattern variables, to create a model for analysis of problems in living. Offers a social system perspective for such analysis to serve as a supplement to intra- or interpersonal models used by human service workers, supervisors, and administrators. (Author)

This document describes how professionals representing the Indianapolis public school system, Goodwill Industries, Indy Reads (a literacy advocacy group), and an English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) professional development consultant designed a comprehensive ESL education and social service system in metropolitan Indianapolis. The document…

Discusses types of Internet services and service providers. Urges rural social service agencies to evaluate use of the Internet as a means to alleviate professional isolation, become part of a larger community, and extend computing resources to clients. Lists 44 rural gopher sites, 37 freenets, 14 listservs, and 13 rural health links. (SAS)

This manual is designed to educate human service agency management personnel involved in transportation about basic risk management principles and insurance issues. Chapter I illustrates the liability factors that create the insurance and risk management needs. Both legal and humanitarian obligations of human service agencies involved in…

Although coordination among programs funded by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) is occurring, it can be improved by removing barriers and specifying what is to be coordinated and how. HEW's National Coordination Study telephoned 187 agency personnel at federal and local levels in 54 HEW programs and talked in-person to…