Human Services Management: Organizational Leadership in Social Work Practice (Foundations of Social Work Knowledge Series)

This book assists participants in human service organizations in understanding the dynamics that are shaping such organizations. Austin's comprehensive analysis of human services management examines the historical development and program structures of such organizations; their stakeholders, including users, personnel, funders, and policy boards; and the organizational processes of accountability and dealing with change. Human services management occurs in nonprofit, governmental, and for-profit sectors and involves a wide variety of organizational structures. These diverse conditions shape the effort to produce and project services that directly affect the quality of life of individuals, families, and communities through social welfare, health and mental health, criminal justice, and educational services. David Austin begins with an examination of the historical development and distinctive characteristics of human service organizations, the variety of organizational and program structures at play, and the connection of individual service organizations with service delivery networks. He then examines of the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholder constituencies, including service users, service personnel (especially service professionals), funders, executives, and policy boards. The final two chapters discuss two organizational processes: accountability for effectiveness and dealing with organizational changes. Employing a strategic choice model of managerial action, this volume examines internal and external dynamics of human service organizations. The chapters examine the social structures that shape these organizations, with attention to the impact of stakeholder constituencies on managerial practice. Other topics include program design, the relation of individual organizations to multi-organization service delivery networks, accountability, assessment, change, and the roles in the organizations of service users, organizational staff members, legitimation and funding sources, and governing bodies. Austin is emeritus in social work at the U. of Texas, Austin. -- Publisher's description

this Book Assists Participants In Human Service Organizations In Understanding The Dynamics That Are Shaping Such Organizations. Austin's Comprehensive Analysis Of Human Services Management Examines The Historical Development And Program Structures Of Such Organizations; Their Stakeholders, Including Users, Personnel, Funders, And Policy Boards; And The Organizational Processes Of Accountability And Dealing With Change.