Robert Pruger

Assessing Theoretical Models of Community Organization Practice: Alinsky as a Case in Point

The Uneven Growth of Community Organization Theory is Attributed to the Absence of an Analytic Framework for Comparing and Evaluating Existing Practice Models. A Paradigm Potentially Useful to This End is Offered. The Practice Variations and Rationales Associated With Saul Alinsky are used to Illustrate the Organized Statements Made Possible by the Paradigm.

TREATING CLIENTS FAIRLY

The equitable distribution of maintenance, or care, services derives principally from the decision-making activities of the line workers in a service program. When program rules and guidelines are relatively general and awards are specific, workers develop functions which relate client need to program benefit. However, among counties and offices within a county, these functions may differ, resulting in inequitable service awards to clients. An empirical study of the In-home Supportive Services program in California reveals office distributive functions and determines the consistency with which workers follow them. Through factor analysis and linear regression, the distributive rules are made explicit so that workers can determine how they may be unintentionally treating clients unfairly.

EVALUATIONS IN CARE PROGRAMS:: WITH ILLUSTRATIONS FROM HOMEMAKER-CHORE IN CALIFORNIA

The purpose of social service evaluation is to generate the information decision makers need to improve program operations over time. Maintenance or care programs, which constitute one major kind of social service activity, have unique informational requirements. This article identifies the information needed and describes a methodology for acquiring it. Illustrations from the Homemaker-Chore Program in California are used throughout.