Chapter 1

The Environmental Context Affecting Human Services

Agencies

Single and Multi-Service Agencies Governmental Agencies Private, Non-profit Agencies For-profit Agencies Voluntary and Self-Help

Organizations

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING SOCIAL AGENCIES

Resources Public Opinion and the Media Political Climate Concerns of the Community Professional Associations and Unions Educational and Theoretical Perspectives Religious and Moral Values Special Circumstances Technological Advances Response of Other Agencies The Environment of the Host Organization Effects of the Environment on Clients

A TWO WAY STREET: INFLUENCING THE ENVIRONMENT RATIONING SOCIAL SERVICES

Queuing Service inaccessibility Triage Creaming Equal parceling Protecting society Preferred recipients Market rationing Serving the neediest Setting boundaries

USING RESOURCES IN THE ENVIRONMENT

Involving Volunteers Information and Referral Service

DEALING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

1) To what extent should we make our services accessible?

2) How can we balance conflicting demands from our environ ment?

3) How can we prepare for the continuous changes that are bound to occur in our environment?

SUMMARY

The environmental context within which all agencies must operate will greatly influence the formation and functioning of human services. A variety of forces impinge upon organizations that can affect directly or indirectly how staff respond. At the same time agencies can take steps to influence environmental forces.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1) What are some of the most important environmental factors affecting your agency?

2) With which organization does your agency relate?

3) What kinds of rationing does your agency use?

4) What are some ways your agency influences its environment?