Linda Plitt Donaldson

Advocacy by Nonprofit Human Service Agencies

Abstract This article reports and analyzes findings of a mixed-methods study which examined correlations between select organizational factorsbudget size, staff size, age, local government funding, and leadership-and the advocacy behavior of human service agencies in Washington, DC. Surveys were sent to 100 agency executive directors, and 43 were returned. Follow-up interviews with staff from the five highest scoring and five lowest scoring agencies are reported. Findings show that budget size, staff size, leadership, and local government funding are positively correlated to agency advocacy behavior. Barriers and enhancements to agency advocacy behavior are also discussed.

Development of the Policy Advocacy Behavior Scale: Initial Reliability and Validity.

Contemporary trends in social service delivery systems require human service agencies to engage in greater levels of advocacy to reform structures and protect programs that serve vulnerable populations. Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument to measure the policy advocacy behavior of nonprofit human service agencies. Method: Organizational demographic and policy advocacy behavior data were collected from 43 nonprofit human service agency executive directors. Results: The researchers determined that the Policy Advocacy Behavior Scale evidenced adequate reliability and validity. Conclusions: The Policy Advocacy Behavior Scale shows promise as a tool to inform future research on social work practice models that integrate policy advocacy methods.

Introducing Asset-Based Models of Social Justice into Service Learning: A Social Work Approach

Increased attention is being given to university–community partnerships. Among such partnerships is service learning, a pedagogical model that integrates experiential community service activities and academic learning. Traditional service learning models often diverge from social work methods that embrace strengths, empowerment, antioppressive principles, and citizen-driven approaches. This article presents the integration of a progressive service learning model into a graduate-level social work macro practice course. The model gives explicit attention to respecting the dignity and worth of the individual by sharing power and developing collaborative relationships between students and community residents where both are serving and learning together.

Toward Validating the Therapeutic Benefits of Empowerment-Oriented Social Action Groups

ABSTRACT This article speaks to the role of empowerment-oriented social action groups as one method to bridge micro and macro social work practice. Demonstrating therapeutic benefits of such groups may generate a greater acceptance among clinicians to integrate social action groups as part of their agency practice. The benefits of social action groups are specifically linked to self-efficacy theory and Yaloms curative factors of therapeutic groups.

Collaboration Strategies for Reforming Systems of Care: A Toolkit for Community-Based Action

The mental health delivery system in the United States is fragmented and disorganized resulting in inappropriate and inconstent care. The cost of mental illness has led to devastating effects on personal lives at an enormous financial cost. Successful community collaboration efforts are worth forming to enhance public health systems. Key stages of successful collaboration include identifying stakeholders, defining a shared vision, implementation, and developing momentum. Reforming systems of care begins at the local level as community collaboratives begin to develop their status in the community, become an important stakeholder voice, and promote action.

We Shall Overcome: Promoting an Agenda for Integrating Spirituality and Community Practice

Spirituality and social work practice are interwoven. The literature is robust with evidence for the importance of spirituality in direct practice. Although there is acknowledgement of the importance for spirituality in community practice, there is a paucity of research investigating how community practitioners incorporate spirituality into their work. This article explores the historical role of spirituality and community practice in the social work profession, provides an overview of the literature identifying the extent to which it addresses the integration of spirituality and social work community practice, and suggests implications for future research, practice and education.

Effects of the 2002 Sniper Attacks on the Homeless Population in Washington, DC

OBJECTIVE Despite the prevalence of homelessness, this population has rarely been included in disaster and terrorism planning. To better understand the mental health needs of the homeless during a terrorist event and to highlight the need to address methodological limitations in research in this area, we examined responses to the October 2002 Washington, DC, sniper attacks. METHODS We interviewed 151 homeless individuals 1 year after the Washington, DC, sniper attacks. RESULTS The majority (92.7%) was aware of the sniper events; 84.1% stayed informed through the media and 72.7% had someone to turn to for emotional support. Almost half (44%) reported identification with victims and 41% increased substance use during the attacks. More than half (61.7%) felt extremely frightened or terrified and 57.6% reported high perceived threat. Females, nonwhites, and participants with less than a high school education experienced greater threat. Women, nonwhites, and younger (<43 years old) participants were more likely to have decreased more activities and 32.7% increased confidence in local law enforcement; however, 32.7% became less confident. CONCLUSIONS During a terrorist attack the homeless population may be difficult to reach or reluctant to comply with public health programs. Addressing barriers to health care in vulnerable groups is critical to effective public health disaster response.

Responding to the Grand Challenge to End Homelessness: The National Homelessness Social Work Initiative

The American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare adopted ending homelessness as one of its 12 Grand Challenges for Social Work. The National Center for Excellence in Homeless Services supports this Grand Challenge through its National Homelessness Social Work Initiative. This initiative is being carried out through a consortium of schools of social work nationally, emphasizing workforce development and policy advocacy. This major, multiyear initiative applies innovative strategies to service and policy design and social work education. This article describes the overall mission of the Homelessness Initiative and key activities used to strengthen social work curriculum, expand homelessness-related field placement opportunities for students, and impact services through the policy advocacy and dissemination of best practices.

Attitudes Toward Advanced Licensing for Macro Social Work Practice

ABSTRACT Trends in clinical licensing and a renewed energy to strengthen macro practice are raising questions about the appropriateness of licensure for macro social work practice. This article presents findings from an online survey of macro social work educators and macro social work practitioners exploring their attitudes toward an advanced-level macro social work license. Faculty and practitioner responders agreed that there is a role for advanced-licensing of macro social work practice; however, the lack of a collectively strong response reflects a current state of ambivalence toward advanced-level licensing for macro practice. Implications from these findings on contemporary social work are discussed.

Resiliency Among People Who are Homeless During the Washington-Area Sniper Attacks of October 2002

The natural and man-made disasters in the first decade of the 21st century have raised issues of race, poverty, and inequality in federal, state, and local emergency response and recovery systems. In various studies, reports, and media accounts of these events, little is mentioned about people who were homeless at the time of the disaster, showing a further marginalization of some populations of people who are poor during such times. For this study, researchers interviewed 151 people who were homeless during the Washington, DC, sniper shootings of 2002 to ascertain how they behaved and coped during the shootings, and how long it took them to return to how they were before the shootings. Implications of the findings are drawn for social work research, education, and practice.