Navigating Human Service Organizations: Essential Information for Thriving and Surviving in Agencies

by Rich Furman, Margaret Gibelman, Ren Winnett

Overview

Since its very inception, social work has been considered an organizationally based profession, with the majority of its workforce employed within formal organizations. Whether in nonprofit, for-profit, or governmental agencies, the practical realities of human service organizations are a central element of professional social work. This book explores the climate and culture of these agencies and provides essential information for surviving and thriving in this setting. It prepares students for their future careers so that they will feel empowered in their work and be able to fulfill their responsibilities toward organizational, community, and social change. Using real-life examples, the authors examine the internal structures of management, financing, and supervision and discuss common conflicts between agencies and professionals. The book's straightforward tone and practical advice make it an asset to anyone entering human service organizations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780197531044
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	08/15/2020
Edition description:	4th ed.
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	9.70(w) x 6.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Rich Furman, MFA, MSW, PhD, is full professor of social work at the University of Washington, Tacoma. Rich has 25 years of experience as a clinical social worker, organizational leader, therapist, coach and scholar. He is the author of over 15 books and 120 peer-reviewed articles, and recognized as one of the international leaders in expressive, arts-based qualitative methodologies.

Margaret Gibelman was executive director of the Lupus Foundation of America and the National Association of School Psychologists and was the associate executive director of the Council on Social Work Education.

Ren Winnett, MSW, LICSW, is a licensed clinical social worker at Multicare Health System in Washington and a lecturer at the University of Washington Tacoma.

Table of Contents

Preface xiii

1 Getting to Know the Human Service Organization 1

The Work Setting 2

Agency Roles for Social Workers 3

Why Do We Need to Know About Organizations? 4

Clarifying Terminology 6

Ethical Guidelines 7

Social Work and Organizations: Historic Roots 9

Conflicts between Professionals and Organizations 10

Changing Conceptions of Organizations 13

Sources of Information about Organizations 14

What to Request 15

Key Points 20

Suggested Learning Activities and Discussion Questions 21

References 21

2 Distinguishing Features of Organizations 25

Defining Human Service Organizations 25

Putting Theory to Practice 26

Types of Organizations 29

Public versus Private Organizations 30

Boundary Blurring: Justifiable Confusion 34

Self-Help Organizations 37

Mission 38

Organizational Structure 45

The Future 48

Globalization: Another Consideration for the Future 49

Key Points 50

Suggested Learning Activities and Discussion Questions 50

References 51

3 How Organizations Are Financed 55

Sources of Funds 56

Foundations 57

Individual Donations 58

Big Donors 58

Fundraising Practices 60

Other Sources of Revenue 61

Managing Finances 65

Unwanted Surprises 71

Mergers 71

Key Points 75

Suggested Learning Activities and Discussion Questions 75

References 76

4 Power and Supervision within the Organizational Setting 79

Role of the Board of Directors 79

The Job of the Chief Executive Officer 82

Attributes of a Good Chief Executive Officer 83

Supervision 84

Definitions of Supervision 85

The Supervisor 86

The Code of Ethics and Supervision 87

The Role of Social Work Supervision within the Organization 88

The Functions of Supervision 88

Difficulties Encountered in Supervision 92

Enhancing Professional Development 96

Continuing Professional Education 97

Evaluating Job Performance 99

Key Points 104

Suggested Learning Activities and Discussion Questions 104

References 105

5 The Work Environment 109

The Impact of Managerial Style 109

The Agency's Workforce 110

Volunteers 112

The Physical Environment 114

Organizational Culture and Climate 115

Use of Teams 118

Communication 119

Informal Environment 121

Staff Morale 122

Key Points 125

Suggested Learning Activities and Discussion Questions 126

References 126

6 Social Work Practice in Host Settings 129

Work Challenges in Host Settings 129

Role Incongruity 130

Health Care Settings as Hosts 130

Hospital Social Work 131

The School as an Organizational Setting 133

Criminal Justice 135

The Legal System 138

When Social Work No Longer Dominates 140

Unique Challenges 141

Key Points 142

Suggested Learning Activities and Discussion Questions 143

References 143

7 Conditions of Work 147

Organizational Policies 147

Formal Policies Concerning Employment 147

Laws Governing Employment 149

How Far Have We Come? 151

Workplace Rules 153

Job Benefits 160

Unions 161

Key Points 163

Suggested Learning Activities and Discussion Questions 163

References 164

8 The Changing Environment of Organizations 167

The Organization as an Open System 167

Changing Public Policies 168

Managed Care 171

Changing Patterns of Service Delivery 173

Consumerism 175

Accountability 176

Quality Control 178

The Inevitability of Change 179

Key Points 184

Suggested Learning Activities and Discussion Questions 184

References 185

9 Internal Sources of Organizational Change 187

Management Turnover 188

A New Boss 190

Facing a Financial Crunch 191

Managed Care 194

A Changing Client Base 195

Relocation 197

Planning Processes 197

Obstacles to Change 200

Key Points 201

Suggested Learning Activities and Discussion Questions 201

References 202

10 Coping with Change 203

The Strengths Perspective 203

Empowerment 205

Directing Power Resources 209

Persuading Through Hard Facts 212

The Importance of Outcomes 214

Key Points 217

Suggested Learning Activities and Discussion Questions 217

References 218

11 Lending a Helping Hand: Making Your Organization Better 221

Selecting Your Battles 221

Dealing with Difficult Colleagues 222

No Organization Is Perfect 225

Mentoring 226

Professional Development 228

Self-Care 229

Looking Toward Your Future 231

Developing Skills for Your Agency and Yourself 232

A Final Word 236

Key Points 237

Suggested Learning Activities and Discussion Questions 238

References 238

Index 241

Editorial Reviews

"One of the seminal texts in social work by a stalwart - Margaret Gibelman - it is still relevant to this day. The authors have carefully updated the text and incorporated important elements of social justice, ethics, diversity and representation. The added emphasis on technology and its role in practice is critical and much needed. An essential text for all social work students." - Manoj Pardasani, Hunter College

"Navigating Human Service Organizations accomplishes a rare goal of bridging the scholarly and practice worlds. It has done so by carefully integrating critical concepts and providing readers with clarity about how most effectively to apply them through case examples that allow readers to see their concrete application. I was particularly attracted to how social justice and empowerment are prominently featured, too. In short, the authors are to be commended for this difficult and important undertaking that makes a substantial contribution to the profession."
- Melvin Delgado, Boston University

"A realistic romp through a wide range of social work leadership, administration, supervision, and organizational praxis."
- Elaine Spencer, Red Deer College

From the Publisher