NCJ Number
42539
Date Published
1972
Length
282 pages
Annotation
THIS STUDY CONCLUDES THAT SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS HAVE ONLY LIMITED SUCCESS AND OFTEN FAIL COMPLETELY TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS. AN IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF THE REASONS FOR FAILURE IS GIVEN, ALONG WITH REFORM RECOMMENDATIONS.
Abstract
SIXTEEN KEY EVALUATION PROJECTS ARE DESCRIBED AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE RESEARCH ANALYZED BY FIFTEEN LEADING SOCIAL WORK EXPERTS. THEY MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGING THE METHODS OF INTERVENTION AND EDUCATION. CONVENTIONAL SOCIAL CASEWORK, SOCIAL GROUPWORK, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION METHODS ARE DISCUSSED ON MACROSYSTEM, MEZZOSYSTEM, AND MICROSYSTEM LEVELS. A REDEFINITION OF SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS AND INTERVENTION WITHIN THIS FRAMEWORK IS OUTLINED. NEW CURRICULUMS DESIGNED FOR SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION AND NEW FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ARE SUGGESTED. OTHER PRIORITIES INCLUDE INCREASED INVESTMENT OF RESOURCES TOWARD UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL AND HUMAN PROBLEMS; RESTRUCTURING THE SOCIAL WELFARE SYSTEM TO DEAL WITH THE IMPAIRED FUNCTIONING OF SOCIAL AGENCIES; AND ESTABLISHMENT OF FEEDBACK SYSTEMS AND EVALUATION MECHANISMS IN ALL MAJOR SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS.(AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...RCB