The evolution of community organization practice in Montreal, has been in the form of a well-organized political movement composed of neighborhood organizations and labor unions. This movement is discussed in the context of Quebec's political and ideological setting and its impact on the social work profession. (Author)

The issue of providing individual services historically has been a major dilemma for social action, Alinsky-style community organizations. Empirical evidence suggests that most action organizations that moved into service provision lost mass-based participation, militant tactics, and a power-building orientation. The author presents a case study…

Evaluating a federal agency's success in stimulating and broadening the program efforts of community organizations present a challenge to social science researchers. The authors describe a methodology developed and used effectively in one metropolitan area to measure program change. They identify and utilize the findings to show how greater change…

Discusses components of a consumer feedback system and methods for the systematic collection of information. The system used by the "Teaching-Family Model" approach to residential treatment illustrates the successful implementation of feedback. (Author)

Most clients throughout the history of social work have participated in brief treatment only. The authors suggest that this fact of clinical life be taken into account in administrative and therapeutic planning. (Author)

Voluntary funding organizations face increasing public demands for accountability in the use of funds. This article presents a model for evaluating the effectiveness of agency programs and discusses its applicability to the process of allocating funds. (Author)

Author discusses accountability controversy concerning effectiveness of social services. Turem's mechanistic and Gruber's organic models of accountability are compared and an alternate open system model of organization is offered which combines positive aspects of Turem's and Gruber's models as well as adds other constructive elements to them. (SE)

Examines the principles of social-learning theory and their application to community practice. Two diverse case examples to illustrate behavioral modeling in social action and the use of behavioral goals as criteria for evaluating outcomes of community intervention are presented. Other possible applications of social learning are also suggested.…

Why are child welfare agencies more hospitable to assessment than family service agencies? What are the implications for other fields of practice? These and other issues are discussed, along with a useful formula for studying practice principles. To illustrate this formula, agency-based demonstration programs are described. (Author)

The family is once again being asked to assume its major function as care-giver for the long-term mentally ill. Is the family able to support chronic mental patients? Is it willing to assume responsibility for these patients? Addresses and discusses implications of family policy for community care. (Author)

The new role for the nonprofessional Puerto Rican court workers, who represented Puerto Rican youths at court, comprised four major activities: (1) case finding, (2) cross cultural interpretation, (3) representing the Puerto Rican social environment, and (4) acting as a bridgeman between the Puerto Rican community and New York City agencies.…

Describes the fate of a cooperative effort by a welfare department and a mental health center in an Ohio city. (Author)

Effective treatment of child abuse cases requires multidisciplinary approach in which social workers, psychologists and physicians coordinate their efforts to help abused child and his/her parents by trying to ease tensions at home. Personnel concerned with child abuse should be well acquainted with various conditions that lead to child abuse. (SE)

Only two percent of general revenue sharing money has been allocated for social services on the municipal level. When local governments do allot some part of their revenue sharing funds for social services, the allocations vary inversely with need--but directly with the importance of organized neighborhood groups. (Author)