Individuals actively and continually construct the knowledge required for their working lives. Two outcomes arise from this constructive process: (i) individual change (i.e. learning) and (ii) the remaking of culturally-derived practices comprising work. These arise through a relational interdependence between the contributions and agency of the…

This study reports that SUCCESS was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1973 as a result of the failure of government agencies and mainstream organizations to provide accessible social services for newly-arrived Chinese immigrants from Hong Kong. During its initial stage, the organization provided mainly basic settlement services. But…

The implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) as a professional model of practice for social work has been suggested as one approach to support informed clinical decision making. However, different barriers and processes have been identified that impact the use of EBP at individual, organizational, and systemic levels. This article describes…

Adoption research commonly uses parents' reports of satisfaction when examining openness in adoption arrangements. This qualitative study aimed to fill a gap in the adoption research by using adolescents' voices to gain a better understanding of their adoption experiences. Adopted adolescents (n = 152) were interviewed concerning their…

Adoption philosophies and social service economics are discussed in this argument for keeping adoption service fees. (ST)

Progressive lifelong transformative education has recognized the impact of social inequalities on learning. Some scholars applying feminist knowledge have acknowledged that violence against women (VAW) also affects learning. Yet, in this recognition there is an implicit assumption that learning is itself positive and peaceful, and impacted…

Surveyed 88 aging agencies serving approximately 11,000 clients to assess their capabilities for serving elderly with alcohol problems. Alcoholism was not viewed as a major problem by agency administrators, but few policies and procedures for dealing with this population were extant. Discussed implications for policy and program development.…

This argument against charging fees for adoption services centers on viewing the child as the agency's primary client. (ST)

Graduate professional social workers are increasingly taking on supervisory and administrative positions, yet little research has been done on the implications this has for social work education. This article analyzes a comprehensive nationwide survey of 750 supervisors and 750 supervisees. (Author)

This article examines the community-level impact of concentrated child welfare agency involvement in African American neighborhoods. Based on interviews of 25 African American women in a Chicago neighborhood, the study found that residents were aware of intense agency involvement in their neighborhood and identified profound effects on social…

The Network Exchange of Urban Services maintains a data bank of social services available in the Delaware Valley. The system includes: a touch tone telephone system for communicating with the computer; a microfilm resource file; and conference telephone capabilities. This greatly facilitates referral of clients to the appropriate agencies. (LS)

An interorganizational network consisting of one United Way organization and 46 of its member agencies was studied to determine whether power relations within the network were modified by various linkages between the agencies and other elements in the community upon which the United Way organization depends for its survival. (Author)

This paper identifies some of the obstacles to telling the truth that are found in the work and practice of social agencies for children. (MS)

Describes Statewide Adoption Network (SWAN) of Pennsylvania and its impact on increasing and improving quality of special-needs adoptions. Notes that program resulted from increases of children in out-of-home care, program is a public and private initiative, and that since its inception, special-needs agencies have increased, financial and…