What_Is_Human_Services__Bshs_301

What Is Human Services' BSHS 301 What Is Human Services' Human Services is a concept created to counter the socio-economic, emotional and psychological challenges that many individuals, children and families encounter. It was created as a means to help improve the quality of life of the socially disadvantaged by promoting the idea that many cannot meet their basic physical and emotional needs on their own or without assistance from others. Elements of Human Services are also dedicated not only to help people meet their basic needs but to also put them on the road to self-sufficiency. Although Human Services encompasses a broad spectrum of practices, we will discuss a more generalized view of this concept in this essay. The goal and history of Human Services, the nature of the generalist practice, theoretical frameworks, common intervention strategies and finally, ethical considerations will all be discussed in this essay. The Goal of Human Services As previously mentioned, Human Services is a means by which the socially disadvantaged can be assisted in meeting their basic physical and emotional needs. Various obstacles keep some from meeting their needs on their own. Some of these obstacles have been created by the individual himself due to bad judgment or decisions. However, more often than not the reasons why people cannot meet their basic needs are due to circumstances beyond their control (Martin, 2007). Human service agencies (also known as social service agencies) are called upon by these individuals when they have encountered these obstacles and they do not have anyone that can help them succeed in circumventing them. These obstacles or barriers can be any number of things ranging from lack of a family or friends, unemployment and mental and/or physical illnesses (Martin, 2007). History of Human Services Human Services as we now know it is a relatively new concept in human history. In America, Human Services has evolved from the unsympathetic Poor Laws of England from the late 1500’s which were adopted from the Protestant concept that the financially sound were blessed but the poor were not chosen by God. These laws painted the socially disadvantaged as vagrants and little or no consideration was given to an individual’s lack of an economic support system. Later more sympathetic incarnations of these laws contained provisions that curbed abuse from those who sought to take advantage of the welfare system of the time. Some of these early concepts have been adopted in our modern welfare system such as the Welfare Reform Act of 1996 signed into law by President Bill Clinton. In the present, Human Services is encompassed by a large variety of organizations ranging from community and faith based charitable organizations to county and state social service agencies which can all provide a number of services to meet people’s needs such as food, shelter, temporary cash assistance, medical care, child welfare (such as Foster Care and Child Protective Services), psychological services, counseling, etc. The Nature of the Generalist Practice Human Services professionals are considered generalists due to the wide range of skills that they use in diverse populations (Martin, 2007). Among the skills and attributes that are desirable for Human Services professionals are empathy, compassion, listening skills, confidentiality, patience and observational skills. Although the common thought is that Human Services professionals are generalists, they do have areas of specialization. However, many believe that the Human Services professional must be competent in working in a broad range of areas using many forms of intervention to tackle a broad range of issues affecting individuals (Martin, 2007). Theoretical Frameworks Theoretical frameworks used in Human Services include but are not limited to the consideration of culture, history, ethnicity and gender as well as environmental elements that are part of a person’s life when analyzing an individual’s behavior. Social environmental elements that may affect a person’s behavior include family, friends, neighborhood, culture and religion (Martin, 2007). The theories that are most associated with the inclusion of one’s environment in the analysis of behavior are Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, PIE (Person In Environment) and the Eco-Systems Theory. These all are similar in concept in that all three see the individual within the context of his or her social environment such as family, gender, employment, ethnicity and religion or faith. Intervention Strategies The goal of intervention strategies is to help individuals empower themselves to being more self-sufficient and reframing that will result in personal growth. Patience, good listening and observational skills are all important in the assessment process. Assessment or intervention tools such as family genograms, psychological testing and clinical diagnoses all have the ultimate goal of recognizing an individual’s behaviors while also evaluating level of function and mental status. Ethical Considerations All Human Services and Social Services agencies have a code of ethics and principles that mandate how Human Services professionals should conduct themselves in the professional setting. The National Association of Social Workers covers a covers a wide range of codes of ethics in different facets of the Human Services practice such as service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence (www.naswdc.org/pubs/code). The importance of a Human Service’s professional adherence to his or her’s code of ethics is emphasized in each one of these elements. The NASW’s ethical standard states that Human Services professionals should “pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people. Social workers’ social change efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination and other forms of social injustice” (Martin, 2007, p. 417). In conclusion, the likelihood of Human Service professionals confronting situations where their ethical standards may be challenged is high due to the broad range of practice settings at their disposal. It is imperative that the code of ethics be followed at every instance always keeping in mind that clients seeking services at human or social service agencies will likely have more complex individual and social problems than clients who seek counseling services from a psychologist in private practice (Martin, 2007). References Martin, M.E. (2007). Introduction to Human Services: Through the Eyes of Practice Settings. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon Publishing. National Organization of Social Workers, Code of Ethics Retrieved from www.naswdc.org/pubs/code/code