9780534358303

HUMAN SERVICES IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICA presents a complete overview of the helping field, its available programs, and the practical skills you can use in your career. The author presents the history and practice of human services through the lens of a social problems and policy perspective. From one chapter to the next, you'll begin to understand how social, economic and political issues may affect you as a human service worker as well as the people you service. Real-life examples in every chapter highlight material on social policy. Useful information on selected careers within the field are discussed, along with the necessary training and licensor information you'll need if you decide to pursue that career direction. You'll find the book's website to be a great study aid to help you master the concepts of the course.

William R. Burger received his doctorate in social psychology, but his academic background also encompasses the fields of educational psychology and philosophy of education. While attending graduate school at Harvard University, he was awarded a research assistantship for his work in the area of community decision making. Bill is the former director of the Mental Health and Human Services Program and is currently chaiperson of the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Human Services at Kingsborough Community College of the City University of New York. Merrill Youkeles, professor emeritus at Kingsborough Community College of the City University of New York, received his doctoral degree in studies on aging at Columbia University with the aid of a grant from the Administration on Aging. Merrill is a certified social worker who received his M.S.W. from the University of Pennsylvania and is the former director of the Mental Health and Human Services Program at Kingsborough College.

Preface

ix

Chapter 1 Human Services in the United States Today

1

(68)

Introduction

2

(1)

Human Needs: Focus on Human Services

2

(4)

The Role of Primary Social Supports in Meeting Needs

6

(2)

An Overview of Human Services

8

(11)

Sources of Need Satisfaction

19

(1)

Falling Through the Safety Net

19

(2)

Political Controversy and Human Services

21

(10)

The Impact of Contemporary Problems on Needs

31

(31)

Summary

62

(1)

Additional Reading

63

(1)

References

64

(5)

Chapter 2 Groups in Need

69

(72)

Introduction

70

(1)

America's Poor

70

(7)

The Unemployed

77

(2)

Children in Need

79

(8)

The Elderly

87

(8)

People with Disabilities

95

(4)

Persons with Mental Illness

99

(7)

Substance Abusers

106

(8)

Criminals

114

(11)

The Homeless

125

(4)

Persons Living with HIV/AIDS

129

(4)

Summary

133

(1)

Additional Reading

134

(1)

References

135

(6)

Chapter 3 Human Services in Historical Perspective

141

(28)

Introduction

142

(1)

Prehistoric Civilization

142

(1)

Early Civilizations

143

(2)

The Middle Ages

145

(2)

The Renaissance

147

(1)

Human Welfare Services since the Renaissance

148

(7)

Mental Health Services since the Renaissance

155

(8)

2000 and Beyond

163

(3)

Additional Reading

166

(1)

References

167

(2)

Chapter 4 Theoretical Perspectives

169

(47)

Introduction

170

(1)

Scientific Theory

170

(1)

Theories about Human Disorders

171

(2)

Models of Dysfunction

173

(1)

The Medical Model

173

(7)

The Human Services Model

180

(2)

Issues Underlying Conflict between Models

182

(1)

The Holistic Trend in Medical Theory

183

(3)

Schools of Therapy

186

(1)

The Psychoanalytic Viewpoint

186

(8)

The Humanistic Perspective

194

(4)

The Behaviorist Model

198

(10)

Which Theory Is Best?

208

(1)

Alternative Paths to Personal Fulfillment

208

(2)

Systems Theory

210

(1)

Does Psychotherapy Work?

211

(1)

Additional Reading

212

(1)

References

213

(3)

Chapter 5 The Human Services Worker

216

(37)

Introduction

217

(1)

Different Styles of Helping Relationships

217

(2)

Characteristics of Effective Helpers

219

(5)

Basic Helping Skills

224

(8)

Factors That Influence the Use of Skills

232

(1)

Values

233

(6)

Human Rights, the Law, and Human Services

239

(3)

The Worker in Group Settings

242

(3)

The Worker in the Community

245

(5)

Additional Reading

250

(1)

References

251

(2)

Chapter 6 Careers in Human Services

253

(35)

Introduction

254

(1)

Generalist Human Services Work

254

(5)

Therapeutic Recreation

259

(1)

Creative Arts Therapy

260

(2)

Psychiatric Nursing

262

(2)

Occupational Therapy

264

(3)

Clinical Psychology

267

(4)

Counseling

271

(7)

Social Work

278

(4)

Psychiatry

282

(2)

Professional Organizations

284

(2)

Additional Reading

286

(1)

References

287

(1)

Chapter 7 Social Policy

288

(31)

Introduction

289

(1)

What Is Social Policy?

289

(1)

Social Policy in the Past

290

(1)

Social Policy in Modern Times

291

(2)

Purpose and Types of Social Policy

293

(1)

The Scope of Social Policy

293

(2)

The Making of Social Policy

295

(5)

Factors in Establishing Social Policy

300

(7)

The Implementation of Social Policy

307

(3)

Critical Thinking Activities

310

(6)

Additional Reading

316

(1)

References

317

(2)

Chapter 8 Prevention in Human Services

319

(24)

Introduction

320

(1)

Defining Prevention and Its Targets

320

(1)

Prevention in the Past

321

(4)

Levels of Prevention

325

(4)

Why an Emphasis on Primary Prevention Is Crucial

329

(5)

Primary Prevention Strategies

334

(3)

Obstacles to the Development of Primary Prevention Programs

337

(3)

Conclusion

340

(1)

Additional Reading

340

(1)

References

341

(2)

Chapter 9 Current Controversies and Issues

343

(24)

Introduction

344

(1)

The Clash of Values in Social Policies

344

(4)

Government: How Much Support for the Needy?

348

(1)

Target Populations: The Struggle for Support

349

(5)

Professionalism in the Human Services

354

(4)

Deinstitutionalization: Does It Work?

358

(2)

The Role of Human Services Workers

360

(1)

Whom Do Human Services Workers Serve?

361

(2)

A Basic Reading and Thinking Skill

363

(1)

References

364

(3)

Glossary

367

(10)

Author Index

377

(4)

Subject Index

381

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Human Services in Contemporary America

Human Services in Contemporary America

0534358306

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials