Human Services in Contemporary America

by Burger, William R.; Youkeles, Merrill

• ISBN13: 9780534358303
• ISBN10: 0534358306
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-07-29
• Publisher: Brooks Cole

Summary

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.

Author Biography

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.

Table of Contents

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