Social Service Sector Research Articles

Exploring the effectiveness of the coordinated individual plan in Sweden: challenges and opportunities for collaborative care

ABSTRACT The increasing specialization and differentiation within welfare organizations in Sweden and internationally have, due to fragmentation and inflexible boundaries, resulted in ineffective care for users. In order to improve care, the Coordinated Individual Plan (CIP) was introduced by the government in Sweden in 2009, with the aim of improving collaboration between social service and health care. Persons with concomitant mental health problems and substance abuse were one of the target groups. Earlier studies by the authors indicate that CIP has had limited impact. Use of CIP has been unsystematic and the user/patient’s role less central than expected. This study investigates what can contribute to these findings, based on professionals’ experience of their participation in CIP. Interviews were conducted with 20 professionals in the social service and health care sectors and analysed by qualitative content analysis, using the theoretical perspectives of institutional isomorphism. Findings indicate that, while the professionals were positive about the idea of CIP to improve the situation for the individual user/patient, coercive isomorphism in the form of CIP also led to a more confrontational view of collaboration which does not necessarily solve problems for the individual. Organizational and professional perspectives were cited, which can be linked to issues of organizational uncertainty. The study confirms earlier findings indicating that a stronger, team-based model is needed, with development based on professional experience, as the coercive aspect tends to take precedence over professional activities connected to mimetic and normative isomorphism.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Social Service Organizations in a Clinical-Community Collaboration

Abstract: Increasingly, interventions are being developed to promote collaboration across health care and social service (such as food, housing, and transportation) sectors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for social services grew while social service organizations' capacity declined due to constraints on staffing, funding, and operations. We used an organizational survey fielded from July through November 2020 and publicly available, county-level data to assess the pandemic's impact on 253 social service organizations in the Accountable Health Communities Model evaluation. Over half of surveyed organizations reported being severely impacted by the pandemic, and 92% reported being at least moderately impacted. Social service organizations without federal funding and those in counties with lower poverty (smaller proportion of residents in poverty) and higher COVID-19 case rates were most impacted by the pandemic. Understanding the pandemic's burden on social service organizations can inform planning for future collaborations across health care and social service sectors.

The nature of measurement across the hybridised social sector: A systematic review of reviews

AbstractPerformance measurement and management serve as the key elements for demonstrating accountability to funders and stakeholders for many social entities. Although substantial study has been completed to understand the measurement practices employed by specific models of social entities, there is an absence of studies taking a broader perspective on organisational performance measurement across the entire system. A systematic review of reviews methodology identified previous systematic and meta‐studies of social performance measurement and management practices across the entire sector. The 19 reviews identified examined the measurement and management practices of a range of hybrid social entities including non‐profits, social enterprises, corporate social responsibility undertakings, impact investments and bonds, government departments, and knowledge‐intensive public organisations. The motivations of demonstrating accountability and learning opportunities for improvement are congruous across all entities. However, the approaches and methods employed to measure impact and meet these objectives are distinct between the different entity forms. Furthermore, acknowledgement of the different measurement approaches of other hybrid social entities was notably absent perhaps indicating a lack of knowledge dissemination across the broader system. Some barriers and complexities seem to be generalised across all hybrid entities; however, other challenges appear to be unique to specific hybrid models and measurement approaches. Through amalgamating a broad range of papers, we present opportunities to strengthen performance measurement and management across an increasingly hybridised social sector.Points for practitioners Performance measurement and management are crucial for demonstrating accountability and improving social impact for all forms of hybrid entities including non‐profits, social enterprises, corporate social responsibility undertakings, impact investments and bonds, government departments, and knowledge‐intensive public organisations. While the measurement practices of these organisational entities have been studied separately, there has been a lack of understanding as to the common practices and deviations across a hybrid organisational system. Practitioners should explore the different approaches and methods employed by the various social impact entities to identify opportunities for improved practice. Meeting the information needs of the diverse range of stakeholders in social services sector poses a challenge for all social initiatives. However, our review highlights the importance of ensuring that the voice and perspectives of social service recipients are adequately represented.

Financing community partnerships for health equity: Findings and insights from cross-sector professionals.

To enhance understanding of financial alignment challenges facing cross-sector partnerships (CSPs) pursuing health equity and offer insights to guide research and practice. We collected data through surveys and interviews with cross-sector professionals in 16 states, 2020-2021. We surveyed 51 CSP leaders and received 26 responses. Following administration of the surveys to CSP leaders, we also conducted interviews with cross-sector professionals. The data are analyzed descriptively, comparatively, and qualitatively using thematic analysis. For quantitative survey data, we compare partnership responses, differentiating perceived levels of alignment among partnerships certified by the Pathways Community HUB Institute (PCHI), partnerships interested in certification, and partnerships without connection to the PCHI® Model of care coordination. For interviews, we engaged CSP professionals and those who fund their work. Two research team members took notes for interviews, which were combined and made available for review by those interviewed. Data were analyzed independently by two team members who met to integrate, identify, and finalize thematic findings. Our work supports previous findings that financing is a challenge for CSPs, while also suggesting that PCHI-certified partnerships may perceive greater progress in financial alignment than others. We identify four major financial barriers: limited and competitive funding; state health service delivery structures; cultural and practice divides across healthcare, social service, and public health sectors; and needs for further evidence of cross-sector service impacts on client health and costs. We also offer a continuum of measures of financial sustainability progress and identify key issues relating to financial incentivization/accountability. Findings suggest a need for public policy reviews and improvements to aid CSPs in addressing financial alignment challenges. We also offer a measurement framework and ideas to guide research and practice on financial alignment, based on empirical data.

Situating the Nonprofit Industrial Complex

This article centers on the nonprofit landscape in Vancouver, Canada, a city that occupies the territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations, which have never been ceded to the colonial occupation of Canada. Vancouver has a competitive nonprofit field, with an estimated 1600+ nonprofits operating within city limits. This descriptive review starts by defining what a nonprofit industrial complex (NPIC) is, then outlines an abbreviated history of the nonprofit sector on the aforementioned lands. The article then explores issues related to colonialism, anti-poor legislation, neoliberal governance, the fusing of the public and private sectors, and the bureaucratization of social movements and care work as mechanisms to uphold the status quo social order and organization of power. Focusing on under-examined issues related to the business imperatives of nonprofit organizations in the sectors of housing, health and social services, community policing, and research, this work challenges the positive default framing of nonprofits and charities. Instead, we contend that Vancouver’s NPIC allows the government and the wealthy to shirk responsibility for deepening health and social inequities, while shaping nonprofits’ revenue-generating objectives and weakening their accountability to the community.

Perspectives on Migrant Children's Mental Health Needs and Existing Services: A Qualitative Study Among Psychological Service Providers of Chinese Social Organizations.

China is comprehensively promoting the construction of social psychological service system. Social organizations provide psychosocial care services to migrant children in China and hold important information and perspectives different from educators and parents on children's mental health. This study aims to analyze mental health service delivery to migrant adolescents for their psychological well-being, to explore how society responds effectively to their psychological needs and to support in better program implementation of mental health services for migrant children. Following qualitative approach semi-structured interviews were conducted with community mental health service providers experienced in working with migrant children. The 15 individual interviews were conducted in Hubei province and Guangdong province, including professionals working with different social organization and social psychological service program in communities. The data were analysed through coding, comparing fragments, constant comparison and recognizing patterns. The analysis yielded 3 categories (Stimulate the internal strength, Reconstruct the support systems, Understanding and participate in social activities) and 6 sub-categories (Improve the understanding of "me" and explore excellent qualities, Clearly envision "my" future and clear career planning, Improve the parent-child relationship and understand the family environment, Improve subjective support and actively develop support system, Acquire reasonable cognition and behavior and interact with surrounding ecology, Take greater responsibility and cultivate a sense of ownership). The results found that individual traits, family, communities and multiple factors affect the mental health of migrant children and identified the urgent needs, and ways to improve mental health service in efficiently and economically. Social psychological service providers contribute in strengthening the psychological well-being of the migrant children. Social psychological service sectors need to be strengthened to enhance the psychological well-being of the migrant children. The inherent gaps between the service required and service provided needs to be addressed through further studies on mental health needs of the migrant children.

Quantifying economic sectoral iron commodity use and related vulnerability in China's supply chains

With its widespread use in manufacturing and machinery, iron is a crucial metal for modern society. However, knowledge about the economic vulnerability of iron from multiple perspectives remains unexplored, especially for China, a country responsible for more than half of global iron and steel consumption. This study aims to quantify the inter-sectoral flows of iron commodities and the caused economic vulnerabilities, using an input-output model and complex network analysis methods. Results show that the residential building construction sector was the most vulnerable sector from a direct perspective. However, the final uses of certain services (e.g., the public administration and social organizations sector and business services sector) were more vulnerable concerning supply restriction from a consumption-based perspective. Based on the above findings, policy recommendations, such as circular economy and material substitutions are proposed to help improve resource efficiency and reduce the vulnerability of critical sectors from dependence on iron and steel.

Chinese and Australian Neoliberal Policy Responses to Risks in Social Service Purchasing

China adopted neoliberal approaches to improve the supply of quality social services in the early 2000s. How did the Chinese government manage the financial and quality risks of increasing the provision via government purchasing and how did it differ from other countries? The article examines the policy trajectory of early childhood education and care in China and Australia on this question. Policy analysis of the effect of purchasing on the cost to government and quality of services shows how both countries used subsidy arrangements to engage non-profit and private providers to expand supply. When faced with market risks, they both tightened regulations, but China differed in the speed and strength of their response, restricting the proportion of private providers. The findings have implications for understanding the risks of relying on market forces in other social service sectors, and how policy can effectively respond.

Reimagining mental health care for newcomer children and families: a qualitative framework analysis of service provider perspectives

BackgroundPersistent disparities in access to mental health care for refugee and immigrant children and their families pose unique challenges to policy and practice. This study examined service provider perspectives on the barriers and opportunities for improving mental health supports for newcomer children and families in Canada.MethodsSemi-structured individual and group interviews were conducted with 33 leadership and frontline staff from 14 organizations in the health, education, settlement, and social service sectors in Hamilton, Ontario. Interview data were analyzed using the framework method.ResultsParticipants described barriers at the systems, provider, and individual and family levels that prevented newcomer families from accessing and benefiting from mental health supports. Structural barriers included inadequate services and funding, complexity of systems, cultural tensions, and, lack of prevention and early identification. Provider-level barriers included lack of representation, mental health knowledge and cultural competency, and staff shortages and burnout. Individual and family-level barriers included lack of mental health literacy, primacy of settlement needs, stigma, fear, and the high threshold for help-seeking. Participants’ recommendations for “reimagining care” related to newcomer engagement, person- and family-centered care, cultural responsiveness, mental health promotion and prevention, workforce diversity and development, collaborative and integrated care, and knowledge generation and uptake.ConclusionsThe intersection of structural, provider, and individual/family-level barriers reduce newcomer families’ access to and effectiveness of mental health supports. Reducing disparities in mental health and access to care will require a paradigm shift in the way that mental health care is conceptualized and delivered to newcomer children and families.

ТЕНДЕНЦИИ РЕСУРСНОГО ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИЯ ФУНКЦИОНИРОВАНИЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИОННОЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОГО МЕХАНИЗМА СФЕРЫ СОЦИАЛЬНЫХ УСЛУГ

The relevance of the study of modern trends in the resource provision of the social services sector is determined by the search for tools and mechanisms for expanding the provision of social services to the population in conditions of limited resources. The prevailing approach in the last decade, which assumes an increase in the output of social services due to the growth of the sector of non-state producers, did not allow for the required increase in output. The purpose of the study was to assess the ratio of the output of subjects of social service producers belonging to the category of state, commercial and non-profit organizations, and the sources of their resource provision. The results obtained allow to conclude that at present one can observe the prevalence of budgetary sources of resource coverage, and the main output of social services is carried out by state producers. The resources of the population are also directed to state producers, which indicates the insufficient development of the non-state sector of social services. The main problem is the low allocative efficiency of producers, which requires a change in the methodology of institutional stimulation of the development of the non-state sector of producers of social services. The change in the direction of institutional incentives involves ensuring the allocative effectiveness of the activities of non-state producers similar to state ones.

Analysis of morbidity with temporary disability in social workers according to the factors of their work

Objective: to analyze the incidence of temporary disability and take into account the labor factors of workers in the social service sector of a large city. Material and methods. The initial data were the number of employees of the Center for Social Services for the Population "Central" g. o. Samara, cases and days of temporary disability for 2018-2021. According to the compiled questionnaire, a survey was conducted of 150 social workers for a subjective assessment of health disorders, factors of conditions and nature of work. Results. In 2020, compared to 2019, the number of cases of temporary disability increased by 2.8 times, in 2021 — by 2.5 times; the number of missed days increased by almost 3 times, the largest number of cases of temporary disability in 2021 was registered in the group with 5-9 years of work experience (31 out of 128 cases; 24%). When interviewing social workers for the presence of their health disorders and affecting their ability to work, the most common symptoms were those of the respiratory system (56%), the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (16%). It was revealed that the factors of the severity of the labor process correspond to the harmful class of working conditions of degree 3.1, the factors of intensity of the labor process — the harmful class of working conditions of degree 3.2. Conclusion. The identified features of morbidity with temporary disability must be taken into account when planning and conducting treatment and preventive work with social workers.

Pelayanan Sosial Berbasis Aset Bagi Pemerlu Pelayanan Kesejahteraan Sosial Pasca Covid-19 di Kabupaten Jember

Recovery in the health sector is still a post-covid-19 policy priority. Social services to the "Need for Social Welfare Services" focus more on charity social assistance and less on empowerment. Assistance is more for sporadic programs and tends not to consider sustainability aspects. On the other hand, the community has excellent assets that implementers can utilize in social services. As a district with the most significant number of beneficiaries in "the horseshoe" area, using community assets in social services is an alternative strategy for achieving program sustainability. This study examines Asset-Based Sustainable Social Services in Improving Empowerment of "Necessary Social Welfare Services" Post Covid-19 in the Jember Regency. The phenomenon was analyzed using a qualitative approach, with the technique of determining informants using snowball, with the key informant, the Head of the Jember District Social Service. The study results show that three community assets are utilized, including personal assets, institutions, and associations. Institutional assets show that the Social Service and BAPAS II Jember are the leading social service sectors. However, there is no synergy between the two in implementing social services. As a regional leader and authority determiner, the district head can play the role of a "Gapper", synergizing community assets through sustainable social policies. Keywords : Social services, Sustainability, Post Covid-19, Community Assets, Vulnerable People

Leading Sector Analysis in Gunung Mas Regency

This study aims to find out which economic sectors are the leading sectors in Indonesia, to know the structure of the regional economy, to find out the development of the leading economic sectors and to find out which sectors have potential sectors in Gunung Mas Regency. The analysis tools used are Location Quotient Analysis, Shift Share, Klassen Typology and Growth Ratio Model. From the results of the analysis it can be concluded from the four analytical tools: (1) the results of the Location Quotient analysis, namely the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Sector, the Construction Sector, the Food and Drink Accommodation Provision Sector, the Information and Communication Sector, the Real Estate Sector, the Service Sector Companies, the Government Administration Sector, Defense and Compulsory Social Security, the Education Services Sector, and the Health Services and Social Activities Sector which are the leading economic sectors in Gunung Mas Regency, Central Kalimantan Province. (2) The results of the Shift Share analysis are that there is no shift in the economic structure in Gunung Mas Regency. (3) The results of the Klassen Typology, namely the Advanced and Rapidly Growing Sector (Quadrant I) in Gunung Mas Regency are the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Sector, the Mining and Quarrying Sector, the Construction Sector and the Information and Communication Sector. (4) The results of the analysis of the Growth Ratio Model, that the Potential sector is the Wholesale and Retail Trade Sector; Car and Motorcycle Repair, Real Estate Sector, Government Administration Sector, Defense and Compulsory Social Security, Health Services and Social Activities Sector

Between health care and social services: Boundary objects and cross-sector collaboration

Health care systems throughout the United States are initiating collaborations with social services agencies. These cross-sector collaborations aim to address patients’ social needs—such as housing, food, income, and transportation—in health care settings. However, such collaborations can be challenging as health care and social service sectors are composed of distinct missions, institutions, professional roles, and modes of distributing resources. This paper examines how the “high-risk” patient with both medical and social needs is constructed as a shared object of intervention across sectors. Using the concept of boundary object, we illustrate how the high-risk patient category aggregates and represents multiple types of information—medical, social, service utilization, and cost—in ways that facilitate its use across sectors. The high-risk patient category works as a boundary object, in part, by the differing interpretations of “risk” available to collaborators. During 2019–2021, we conducted 75 semi-structured interviews and 31 field observations to investigate a relatively large-scale, cross-sector collaboration effort in California known as CommunityConnect. This program uses a predictive algorithm and big data sets to assign risk scores to the population and directs integrated health care and social services to patients identified as high risk. While the high-risk patient category worked well to foster collaboration in administrative and policy contexts, we find that it was less useful for patient-level interactions, where frontline case managers were often hesitant or unable to communicate information about the risk-based eligibility process. We suggest that the predominance of health care utilization (and its impacts on costs) in constructing the high-risk patient category may be medicalizing social services, with the potential to deepen inequities.

Meta-governance, uncertainty and self-organization in corporatist social service sectors: The case of Hong Kong

This article explores the relationship between meta-governance, uncertainty and governance network responses. A social network analysis was conducted on the interlocking directorate network among nonprofits before and after a market-oriented collibration triggered by a new public management reform to the corporatist social service provision system in Hong Kong. By unpacking and showing the distinct processes of network formation in response to substantive and strategic uncertainty arising from the market-oriented collibration, the study shows that although more nonprofit actors were directly included in the formalized policy venues after the reform, the network density and clustering coefficient dropped after the reform, potentially reducing the self-coordinating capacity of the governance network. However, for some nonprofit actors, node betweenness centrality increased and node degree centrality decreased, creating an enabling condition for adaption. Points for practitioners The uncertainties in meta-governance may bring about network processes at variance with the original intentions of public meta-governors that actors with complementary resources and competences combine their efforts in the provision of services and service innovation. To manage substantive and strategic uncertainties, public meta-governors need to find ways to increase the shared understandings of social problems, enhance the clarity of policy goals, and find a balance when collaborating between collaborative and market modes of governance.

The Role of Trust in Older Adult Service Provision at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic caused near immediate service delivery adaptation among social service and healthcare sectors. Findings from in-depth interviews with 45 senior leaders of social services and healthcare organizations serving older adults in Washington State elucidate the role of trust in service provision at the onset of the pandemic. First, a history of trust facilitated service adaptation. Intentional outreach, programs, and culturally responsive services sustained trust with service recipients. Providing services and information in an older adult’s preferred language built trust. Community networks facilitated and reflected trust between organizations and older adults. Finally, mistrust was prevalent for clients who perceived a high risk of experiencing negative consequences from accessing services. Our findings support the need for culturally and linguistically diverse services. To improve trust, the aging network should strengthen and expand partnerships with community-based organizations who have established trust through history, intentionality, and relevance to their service populations..

Big ideas, small data: Opportunities and challenges for data science and the social services sector

The social services sector, comprised of a constellation of programs meeting critical human needs, lacks the resources and infrastructure to implement data science tools. As the use of data science continues to expand, it has been accompanied by a rise in interest and commitment to using these tools for social good. This commentary examines overlooked, and under-researched limitations of data science applications in the social sector—the volume, quality, and context of the available data that currently exists in social service systems require unique considerations. We explore how the presence of small data within the social service contexts can result in extrapolation; if not properly considered, data science can negatively impact the organizations data scientists are trying to assist. We conclude by proposing three ways data scientists interested in working within the social services sector can enhance their contributions to the field: refining and leveraging available data, improving collaborations, and respecting data limitations.

Abstract B103: Research partnership to address social needs in cancer care

Abstract Introduction: Health-related social needs, including food insecurity, housing instability, transportation problems, utility needs, and interpersonal safety, are increasingly understood as important determinants of cancer outcomes. Social needs may be addressed through patient screening and support. However, the successful integration of social and clinical care remains elusive in cancer care delivery. The novel Research Partnership to Address Social Needs in Cancer Care (REPASO) brings together academic, community, and clinical stakeholders to address the unmet social needs of cancer survivors in persistent poverty areas of New Mexico. Procedures: In developing our partnership, we took an asset-based, problem-solving, and community-driven approach to discover successful strategies and solutions that communities in persistent poverty areas already use to address social needs. We convened virtual stakeholder meetings with representatives from community organizations, research institutions, and clinical practices to prioritize social needs and develop a strategic plan to expand the reach of social needs programs to cancer survivors. Results: Initial stakeholder meetings identified knowledge, in terms of the awareness and familiarity navigating the medical and social services sectors, as a primary unmet social need in the community. Participants stressed the importance of ongoing educational opportunities for cancer survivors and families to gain the knowledge needed to address other unmet social needs, such as food insecurity and transportation challenges during and after cancer treatment. Community representatives considered universal and systematic screening for multiple social needs to be acceptable and actionable. They identified a need for a shared data platform to assist in closing the loop from identification of social needs, referral to services, and health outcomes. Barriers to successful research partnerships voiced by community stakeholders included lack of time and resources and complex data-sharing requirements. Conclusions: REPASO represents a novel research enterprise to eliminate cancer outcome disparities in persistent poverty areas of New Mexico. Stakeholder meetings are ongoing and will culminate in a retreat that bring together representatives from community organizations, research institutions, and clinical practices to generate new research questions using a Ripple Effects Mapping exercise. At the conclusion of this capacity-building project, we expect to develop the research infrastructure to track the provision of social services to, and monitor outcomes of, cancer survivors in persistent poverty areas. Citation Format: Jean A. McDougall, Shoshana Adler Jaffe, Kendal Jacobsen, Mary Alice Scott, Ivan de la Rosa, Elisabeth Bustos Villanueva, Janet Page-Reeves, Andrew Sussman, Dolores Guest. Research partnership to address social needs in cancer care [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B103.

Problems Faced by Women during Covid -19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Women Emigrants from Neendoor Panchayat in Kottayam District of Kerala

Covid-19 has made unprecedented challenges to migrants especially women migrants who are one of the most vulnerable groups of this pandemic since most of the women migrants are working in the informal and social service sectors. Kerala is one of the highest numbers of women emigrating states in India. The focal point of this study is to find out both the social and economic problems faced by women emigrants from Kerala due to Covid-19. To find out these problems, primary data were collected from women emigrants from Neendoor panchayat in Kottayam district in Kerala through snowball sampling technique. Since the problems faced by womenemigrants in Gulf and developed countries are not the same due to this pandemic, this study also examines this difference.

Evolution of scientific approaches to the multifunctional public complexes’ development

This research aims to analyze the socio-economic conditions and urban planning features influence on scientific approach and multifunctional complexes hypotheses throughout history. A retrospective analysis of scientific theory, socio-economic and political conditions, and territorial planning city trends helped to identify the specifics of the cultural and social service sector and multifunctional complexes, as the most effective form of public construction development. The idea of multifunctionality as a scientific hypothesis evolved from the objective tasks to revive national economy in the early twenty century and was initially implemented by residential complexes with a developed system of public functions to balance work, leisure, and rest for workers. The planning aspect is revealed through the linear city concepts and new system of resettlement. Later, the function diversity principle was implemented within the development of the citywide center system. The efficacy of multifunctional public construction has been proven over the years; however, modern social, economic, and ecological conditions require different scientific approaches to consider the multifunctional public buildings as an urban planning subsystem requiring interrelated development within the model of territorial spatial environments. The novelty of the research lies in defining modern scientific approaches to the urban planning subsystem of the multifunctional public complexes.