Perceptions of Collaboration and Service Integration as Strategic Alternatives: An Examination of Social Service Nonprofit Organizations in the Late 1990s

Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) have historically dealt with the problem of trying to build organizational capacity while simultaneously dealing with scarce resources. Consequently, practitioners and scholars continue to offer assistance to nonprofits in the development of techniques aimed at addressing these situations. Recent literature shows a push towards innovation, the use of new organizational tax structures, and/or the use of commercial revenue generating activities as plausible strategic alternatives for dealing with declining resources. While these techniques show promise, they typically are reserved for larger nonprofits (as measured by their funding base) and those nonprofits with missions that lend themselves for such activities (e.g., health care, arts and culture). But what about other NPOs that may not be willing to undertake such risk, or who do not have missions that can embrace commercial activity? This article examines two strategies, collaboration and service integration, techniques that are perceived by practitioners to show promise for organizations needing to build capacity, and/or generate new or maintain resources. Based upon data yielded from a national mail survey of social service nonprofit organizations, this article provides an empirical analysis that highlights the extent to which nonprofit social service organizations were engaged in these techniques; and from the perspective of nonprofit upper managers, the impacts their respective nonprofit organizations experienced. Using these data and perspectives, a set of recommendations are derived for today’s organizations to consider. Finding mechanisms to building capacity while increasing organizational resources, including income stream, has never been an easy endeavor for many social service nonprofit organizations. As the number of nonprofit organizations continues to rise, the nonprofit sector faces ever-increasing pressure to become more self-sufficient and resilient, while becoming less reliant upon government funding and charity (Arnold & Edwards, 1998). As nonprofit administrators and academicians probe new and innovative ways for assisting nonprofit organizations in the development of new revenue streams and resources (e.g., innovation, the emergence of new organizational tax structures, the use of commercial activity); the call for collaboration and service integration are still being touted as a plausible means for generating and/or saving resources. This article examines these techniques as a means to develop and enhance organizational resources and strengthen capacity from the perspective of nonprofit practitioners

Exploring “Home” at an Assisted Living Facility: Looking through Residents’ Lenses with Photovoice

An increasing number of older adults are moving into assisted living facilities when living independently becomes difficult. These facilities afford older adults a home-like environment with opportunities for social activity and a minimal level of professional care, although relocation can negatively impact well-being. Because it is important to study home environments of aging adults, 10 residents of an assisted living facility were engaged in Photovoice to explore perceptions of the facility as home. Through photographic expression, residents identified environment enhancements for home at an assisted living facility. Findings of this study have implications for program planning at long-term care facilities

Efficacy of chronic disease self-management among low-income Black males with behavioral health disorders: Pilot study

Background: This study examined the effectiveness of Stanford University’s Chronic Disease Self-management Program (CDSMP) among men living with co-morbidities of chronic physical health disease and behavioral health disorders. Methods: The study was conducted at a community-based, non-profit organization in partnership with a large suburban university. Two pilot studies were completed with the population of interest. Low-income adult males with behavioral health disorders were recruited to participate in the program provided by a local behavioral health agency. Facilitators trained in the CDSMP program administered it at the agency site, and participants attended weekly meetings. Descriptive data collected included health history, demographic information, and assessments of knowledge with the Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy Scale and the Chronic Disease Self-Management Questionnaire created by the Stanford Patient Education Research Center. Due to the small sample size, n=12, the Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to evaluate before and after differences in the sample. Results: For the participants, there were increases in overall activity, stretching activities, and equipment activities. Additionally, participants experienced a decrease in the number of days affected by poor physical or mental health. However, there was no significant increase in perceived self-efficacy, a factor in patient confidence and possibly compliance. Limitations included the small sample size, lack of a control group, and convenience sampling. Conclusions: Various aspects of the program were helpful to some participants, but cultural factors made other areas less compatible for this population. A larger study, utilizing a comparison group, could generate data relevant to hypotheses based on these observations. By collecting qualitative data, focus groups could contribute to understanding the experiences and needs of the participants. Development of a curriculum for self-management of chronic disease with a focus on intercultural competence is presently of interest

Interprofessional Practice in Healthcare: Experiences of a Faculty Learning Community

Healthcare reform has had its impact on many health professionals as well as clinical settings, particularly with the enactment of the Affordable Care Act. In healthcare settings, healthcare teams are challenged with new systems of care and changing philosophies of management. However, healthcare providers retain a distinctive sense that they cannot always provide care without some form of collaboration. This article presents the results of a pilot study, which measured the effectiveness of a model of practice utilised at a faculty-practitioner operated university community clinic. The purpose of the study was to measure the perceived effectiveness of a practice model, client satisfaction, and students’ perceptions of learning. Implications of this pilot study include providing an interprofessional practice model, which can be replicated in any healthcare setting. This study also provides an opportunity to improve student learning in degree programmes where practice is a significant aspect of the learning process

Invisible Voices: Factors Associated with the Subjective Well-Being of Aging African American Men

Little is known about the African American male\u27s experience in later life, specifically what variables act as predictors of perceived well-being. This study explored the subjective well-being and life satisfaction of African American men aged 55 and above. A cross sectional, exploratory-descriptive survey explored the quality of life and overall well-being based on self-perceptions of social support, stress, health, and life satisfaction in a sample of 149 African American males. The Social Support Appraisals Scale, Elder Stress Inventory, Life Satisfaction Index-Z, and a global health question were used to measure the major variables. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that social support and health may be predictors of life satisfaction and overall well-being, and social support may act as the strongest predictor. A significant relationship was also found between the demographic variable of marital status and life satisfaction. The other significant relationship was found between the demographic variables of social support and life satisfaction

Double Erasure Under 21st Century Virtual Capitalism

This article traces the mechanism of social erasure under various regimes of global capitalism. It proposes that the current regime of virtual global capitalism has shifted the way that erasure functions in the 21st century. The article delineates new mechanisms of erasure called “double erasure.” The article then traces double erasure in the lives of Black men. Finally, proposals are made as to how social work and human services might respond to double erasure in ways that reaffirm the world of living material social relations

Second Generation Parenting: Grandparents Who Receive TANF

A review of the scholarly literature indicates that the number of grandparents who are second generation parents (e.g., raising their grandchildren) has increased dramatically. These grandparents often return to parenting with a variety of financial and physical health issues that need to be addressed within the context of their caregiving role. The current study is a secondary data analysis of a sample of grandparent caregivers that received TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) using data from a larger study conducted on welfare reform. The research is primarily descriptive, providing a summary of these grandparents\u27 functioning. Finding and implications for understanding the experience of grandparent caregivers are presented

Study Abroad: Essentials in Recruitment and Interdisciplinary Practice

Study abroad programs offer unique opportunities for students to gain valuable educational and life experience. These experiences support a well-rounded education and prepare the students to work in a more global society. Many study abroad programs are designed with undergraduates as the target audience and may not meet the academic needs or life situations of the graduate student. This paper describes the authors’ observations based on their experiences with developing and implementing study abroad programs. This writing discusses lessons learned and offers recommendations for expanding existing programs to attract graduate students

Justice-Involved Individuals and Admission Into Urban Undergraduate Social Work Programs

Research on the effect of arrests or convictions on college admissions decisions, while limited, suggests that college admission is a major hurdle for applicants with criminal histories. The purpose of this study was to examine admission application policies and practices at undergraduate social work programs in the South for justice-involved individuals or persons with criminal backgrounds. The qualitative study design recruited program directors through professional relationships for interviews and selected programs in urban cities in the South using the Council on Social Work Education’s Accredited Program Directory. The surveys consisted of three questions and the interviews consisted of eleven semi-structured questions focusing on the policies and practices associated with the application process. Study results reveal that slightly more than one half of all programs asked questions about criminal backgrounds, firm policies are not in place, and practices vary from institution to institution