Unit5Assign/DiscSCPP

Understanding Social Change as a Human Services Professional 1

Understanding Social Change as a Human Services Professional

Rudolph Ryser, PhD

2017 Capella University

What is social change?

The European Enlightenment of the 17th and 18th centuries introduced to public consciousness the “idea of progress” claiming “whichever society came later must be better” and thus social change is necessarily on the path of constant improvement associated with the concept of sociocultural evolution. The Romantic Movement of 19th Century Europe countered the idea of progress with the degeneration theory—advocated by social scientists arguing that earlier societies are superior to later societies. Whether one advocates progress or degeneration the concepts inherently rely on a conception of social change in human society. The notion of sociocultural evolution as the driving force foundational to progressive social change has come under scrutiny by social scientists in the 21st century offering the idea that sociocultural evolution presupposes social determinism and ethnocentrism—the inevitability of progress and the superiority of one ethnic population over another who are “more evolved.” Social change can be regressive or degenerative. The forces that influence progressive social change (intentional, unintentional and non-purposeful) can bring about societal changes that can benefit some and harm others too. The assumption that social change generally will inevitably build community-based responses that define underlying social problems on an individual, institutional, community, national and/or international level is the conventional view of social action. Social change can change attitudes; behaviors, laws, policies and institutions to better reflect values of inclusion, fairness, diversity and opportunity just as those forces can when activated bring about social change. While progressive change and regressive changes are foundational to much social change scholarship, a more nuanced analysis argues for a more realistic understanding of social change. Social change may occur as a result of concerted efforts of individuals or groups making new laws, regulations, and new institutional structures. In the present intentional social change is the most common type of change giving rise to individuals aspiring to become change agents or social change leaders. Governments, non-profit organizations and businesses regularly engage in establishing policies, practices and regulations toe “cause change.” Unintentional social change may also occur as a result of the actions of social movements, consequences of economic upheaval, violence and war can bring about social change all operating outside the formal systems of accepted institutions. There is a third form of social change that may occur resulting from either conscious planning or intentional institutions; and this is non-purposeful social change. This third form of social change might result form migration of populations, urbanization, shifts in the dominant form of economy (globalization vs. industrialization, local communications vs. the Internet) Intentional, unintentional or non-purposeful social change may result in very local social changes or global changes.

Understanding Social Change as a Human Services Professional 2

Social change involves a collective action of individuals and can involve Human Service Professionals who are closest to the social problems to develop solutions that address social issues.1 As Weintstein observes, “…society and culture vary over time as the result of human actions. In some cases, this is the direct outcome of planning and purpose; in others, it is indirect, unanticipated, and unintended. Most often, however, the effects of our acts are a combination of intent and accident.”2

Example: Intentional Social Change: The construction of a new highway through a neighborhood to increase economic development in a region will cause households to sell their property or have it confiscated by the local or other government through a claim of taking for the “public good.” The dislocation of families, businesses and other social activities may give rise to significant changes that cause social, economic, political, and cultural upheaval—thus social change. Unintentional Social Change: A community located next to a steep sloping hill in inundated by heavy rain and flash flooding. The hill breaks away from it natural mooring and mud rushes into streets below, moving houses and destroying property. Some lives are lost and others seriously injured. Refugees from a violent overseas war occupy the area of this disaster. The new community of refugees now has experienced two disasters not of their own making.

What is social justice? Social justice is the distribution of benefits and how they are allocated in society. It is thought of as a society that affords individuals and groups fair treatment and a just share of the social, economic, political and cultural benefits of society. Social justice is often equated with the concepts of human rights and equality. Individuals in a society can have different ideas of social justice and what “just” means since the word justice can be vague, ambiguous, and subjective. This is measured by the explicit and tacit terms for the distribution of wealth, opportunities for personal activity and social privileges. In Western as well as in older Asian cultures, the concept of social justice has often referred to the process of ensuring that individuals fulfill their societal roles and receive what was their due from society. In the current global grassroots movements for social justice, the emphasis has been on the breaking of barriers for social mobility, the creation of safety nets and economic justice.3 Example: Economic issues, particularly the disparity between the rich and the poor can be seen as a social justice issue. In 2005, the top 20% of households accounted for a record 50.4% of the national income, up from 49.8% in 2000 and 43.2% in 1970. In contrast, the bottom fifth’s share fell from 4.4% in 1970 to 3.6% in 2000 to 3.4% in 2005.

4 This can be seen as a social justice issue because the benefits of society are allocated in an unjust way.

Social Change implemented through Public Policy Development

1 See: http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/what-is-human-services 2 Weinstein, J. (2010). Social Change, Roman & Littlefield: New York. 3rd Edition [VitalSource Bookshelf version]. Retrieved from https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781442203013 page 10. 3 See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice 4 Statistical data taken from the following: http://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/marapr2007p24.shtml

Understanding Social Change as a Human Services Professional 3

Community Support Skills Standards are key to the success of Human Services Professionals. Competencies include: Participant Empowerment, Community Networking and Advocacy. Social Change initiatives are only effective if they are constructive and linked to a policy development process. Human Service Professionals are intimately involved in the social environment and consequently occupy a position among professional distinctly valuable to the process of policy development intended to define the social problem, establish a policy agenda, formulate a policy, set out a plan to implement the policy, and incorporate methods for evaluating the policy in process. Policies are established, implemented and evaluated by government (federal, state, county, city, and other legal authorities), businesses (corporate, sole proprietor, small business), and/or non-profit organization (service, advocacy, research, educational, religious). Once formulated and implemented, the policy may establish a law, regulation, procedure, practice, organize a structure, or set in place specific values, vision and mission for a program, agency or organization.

What is Human Service? Human Services are recognizable as organized efforts and/or services that help to improve and advance social well-being. Human services can be providing meals, shelter, food, clothing, and programs for youth and adults, health care, ability/disability services, language interpretation and translation and others. The field of Human Services is broadly defined, uniquely approaching the objective of meeting human needs through an interdisciplinary knowledge base, focusing on prevention as well as remediation of problems, and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall quality of life of service populations. The Human Services profession is one which promotes improved service delivery systems by addressing not only the quality of direct services, but also by seeking to improve accessibility, accountability, and coordination among professionals and agencies in service delivery.5 Human Services agencies can provide a wide variety of services that meet the social well being of a community, region, or group of people. Example:6 Human services professionals work in residential settings generally work in shifts. Because residents of group homes need supervision in the evening and at night, seven days a week, evening and weekend hours are required. Despite differences in what they are called and what they do, human services professionals generally perform under the direction of professional staff. Those employed in mental health settings, for example, may be assigned to assist a treatment team made up of social workers, psychologists, and other human services professionals. The amount of responsibility these workers assume and the degrees of supervision they receive vary a great deal. Some Human Services Professionals work independently and have little direct supervision; others work under close direction.

5 Definition is provided by the National Organization of Human Services [http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/what-is-human- services] 6 Source: National Organization for Human Services [http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/what-is-human-services]

Understanding Social Change as a Human Services Professional 4

Examples of Occupational titles of Human Services Professionals

Case Manager Family Support Worker Youth Worker Social Service Manager Residential Counselor Behavioral Management Case Management Aide Eligibility Counselor Alcohol Counselor Adult Day Care Manager Drug Abuse Counselor Life Skills Instructor Client Advocate Neighborhood Worker Social Service Aide Group Activities Aide Social Service Technician Therapeutic Assistant Probation Officer

Case Monitor Parole Officer Child Advocate Gerontology Aide Juvenile Court Liaison Home Health Aide Group Home Worker Child Abuse Worker Crisis Intervention Counselor Mental Health Aide Community Organizer Intake Interviewer Community Outreach Worker Social Work Assistant Community Action Worker Psychological Aide Halfway House Counselor Assistant Case Manager Rehabilitation Case Worker Residential Manager

Human services professionals work in community, residential care, or institutional settings provide direct services such as leading a group, organizing an activity, or offering individual counseling. They may handle some administrative support tasks, too. Specific job duties reflect organizational policy and staffing patterns, as well as the worker's educational preparation and experience. Because so many human services jobs involve direct contact with people who are impaired and therefore vulnerable to exploitation, employers try to be selective in hiring. Applicants are screened for appropriate personal qualifications. Relevant academic preparation is generally required, and volunteer or work experience is preferred.

Social Change and Public Policy Human Services Professionals are uniquely positioned to identify, organize and promote constructive and effective social change. Human Services Professionals are professional attune to the social demands that arise from intended social changes as well as unintended social changes. The process of identifying and leading in the development of policies responsive to social needs is a critical competency for Human Services Professionals.