Deficits or Strengths

Week 4 Discussion: Deficits or Strengths

Many human services organizations claim they provide a strengths-based focus when delivering services to service users. The dilemma is that services are often accessed because of needs—service users must demonstrate, prove, or be qualified as needing services. The service user must testify to—or be forced to—acknowledge their deficits or struggles in order to receive help from agencies and professionals who have the privilege or mandate to provide services.

Resources

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources. 

WEEKLY RESOURCES  

To Prepare:

· Review the Learning Resources and Course Announcements.

· Consider how service users rely on their strengths even in times of need.

· Consider how services provided to service users can enhance strengths while also exacerbating weaknesses.

By Day 4

Post a response to the following:

· What are the challenges HSPPs face when trying to implement a strengths-based approach?

· What are the challenges service users encounter with strengths-based approaches offered by service providers?

· How do you intend to address these challenges as an HSPP?

Week 4 Discussion: Deficits or Strengths

Many human services organizations claim they provide a strengths-based focus when delivering services to service users. The dilemma is that services are often accessed because of needs—service users must demonstrate, prove, or be qualified as needing services. The service user must testify to—or be forced to—acknowledge their deficits or struggles in order to receive help from agencies and professionals who have the privilege or mandate to provide services.

Resources

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources. 

WEEKLY RESOURCES  

To Prepare:

· Review the Learning Resources and Course Announcements.

· Consider how service users rely on their strengths even in times of need.

· Consider how services provided to service users can enhance strengths while also exacerbating weaknesses.

By Day 4

Post a response to the following:

· What are the challenges HSPPs face when trying to implement a strengths-based approach?

· What are the challenges service users encounter with strengths-based approaches offered by service providers?

· How do you intend to address these challenges as an HSPP?