Carol D. Austin

Working Together in Collaborations: Successful Process Factors for Community Collaboration

Social workers require knowledge of how to collaborate successfully. Qualitative case study research is used to explore the key factors influencing the success of one regional interorganizational community research consortium through a testing of the 40-item Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory. Two of the Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory factors for successful collaboration were confirmed: attention to informal connection and member relationships; and developing trust, respect, and understanding. Two additional success factors were found: having learning as a purpose and sharing leadership. Suggestions for the community collaboration process in social work practice and further implications for research are addressed.

Community Development with Older Adults in Their Neighborhoods: The Elder Friendly Communities Program

In this article, the authors report on lessons drawn from more than 3 years of experience with seniors-led community development at the neighborhood level, the Elder Friendly Communities Program (EFCP). Although community practice has a long history in social work, it has been largely neglected with older adults. Based on analysis of qualitative data, the authors discuss key themes that inform community development practice with seniors including (a) challenging the dominant paradigm of community-based service delivery, (b) efficiency and sustainability, (c) expectations and perceptions of expertise, (d) involvement and leadership, and (e) multicultural practice. With a growing and increasingly healthy elder population, it is time to expand the scope of gerontological social work practice beyond a focus on disability and dependency.

Case management: who needs it? Does it work?

Even after 30 years of experience, two questions persist about case management practice. Who needs it and does it work? Answers to these questions are neither direct nor simple. This article examines the significance of various contexts (policy, system, community, and organization) to efforts attempting to provide responses to these basic questions. Beyond the question of who needs case management, two additional questions are addressed. Who needs it and who gets it? Clients’ qualitative perspectives on case management effectiveness, beyond attempts to measure satisfaction and quality of life, are usually absent. The article concludes with a discussion of whether these are the right questions.

Linking case management and community development.

Case management, in various forms, is now institutionalized as a core part of policy and programs designed to deliver home- and community-based services to older adults. The case management role, in theory, requires attention to both client and system goals, although in practice the system goals that have received most attention have been gatekeeping and resource allocation. While case managers have been admonished to find and develop resources in the community, this has primarily taken the form of including informal services in individual client care plans. What has been missing is focused attention to the potential of the community as a nurturing environment with the capacity to support older adults and their caregivers. Sustainable care for older adults cannot be achieved by formal service and family support alone. This article proposes the creation of linkages between case managers, who build the service arrangements for older people, and community developers, who are responsible for building community capacity and social capital. It is argued that this linkage is essential for establishing the foundations of a caring community with the capacity to support older people.

Writing: The Maturing of Ideas

The September-October issue of Families in Society introduced the section “Writers at Work.” This section, continued with this issue, allows readers to “meet” authors and learn about the personal inspirations and influences that compel people to write for publication. In this issue, we hear from authors Carol Austin and Robert McClelland. We invite all readers to share their own literary experiences. — Howard Goldstein, Editor

Editorial) Not Just Another Population

This special issue of Families in Society is designed to serve as a resource for the future development of social work practice with older adults. The issue begins with overview articles on practice and policy with specific examination of practice in health care settings. The next section is devoted to diversity issues. The remaining sections focus on capacity building with families, in communities, and within the profession.