Working within a System

1. Working within a System Chapter Eight

2. Chapter Topics • Agency environment • Using available services • Challenges • Promoting change

3. Agency Environment • Mission and goals • This is usually a relatively short statement that summarizes the purpose of the agency • It will also provide a sense of the agency’s function and direction • This is a great source in learning about an agency in preparation for application

4. Agency Environment • Structure • This provides information about how the agency is organized • It is essentially an illustration of the chain of command within an agency • See Figure 8.1

5. Agency Environment • Resources • Funding sources can determine whether an agency is public, governmental, non-profit, or for profit.

6. Agency Environment • Community context • This identifies what the agency does within a given community • This can influence the way an agency operates, the services it provides, the clients served, and the professionals employed

7. Mission statement • Purpose of agency • Guiding principles • Brief • Agency information

8. Other Sources of Agency Information • Goal statements • Job descriptions • Policies and procedures

9. Agency Structure • Chain of command • Organizational chart

10. Resources • Public • Not-for-profit • For-profit

11. Revenue Streams • Government • Grants and contracts • Fees • Donations

12. Community Context • Shared values • Community mapping • Connections

13. Using Available Resources • Referral • Information networks • Informal vs. formal networks

14. Referrals • 2 step process • First, assess the client’s problem and needs • Second, provide the link between the client and needed service • When to refer • The client may request the referral • The client may require service beyond what the helper can provide • The helper may have a lack of sucess

15. Referrals • How to refer • Explain why the referral needs to take place • Describe the service the referral will provide • Know the referral contact • Provide the appropriate information • Where to refer • The referral should meet the client’s needs

16. Referrals • Evaluating the referral • The referral process does not end once the referral is made • The helper should engage in a systematic follow-up to assure that the client’s needs are being met

17. Information Networks • Know available services • Develop a systematic for building a file of human services available in the service area • Develop file • Services • Clients served • Contact information

18. Challenges • Resource allocation • Paperwork • Turf issues • Encapsulation • Burnout • Professional development

19. Promoting Change • Developing local services: Advocacy • Community organizing • Empowerment

20. Community Organizing • Develop and use network • Mobilization • Create resource base and workforce