Voluntary Social Agencies Research Articles

Eligibility Criteria for Cash Assistance for Older and Disabled People in Hungary: A Model for Countries in Passage from a Planned to a Market Economy

The political and economic changes presently taking place in the Central and Eastern European countries are accompanied by profound social changes for which, in terms of personal well-being, older and disabled people pay the highest price. Having lost the security of a minimum standard of living, many are exposed to poverty in its broadest sense. The collapse of governmental arrangements to provide for the minimum needs of this population led to the establishment of non-govemmental voluntary social agencies. Unfortunately, these are characterized by limited resources on the one hand, and lack of trained and skilled social work staff on the other. Based on the experience of a Hungarian non-govemmental social agency, a model for eligibility criteria for cash assistance under these circumstances, taking vulnerability as a key concept, is suggested for the benefit and dignity of those most in need.

Commercial Venturing and the Transformation of America's Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies

This article examines venturing, or the commercial sale of services and products, as a strategy employed by voluntary social agencies to bolster their faltering budgets. It reports the findings of a descriptive study of a population of 101 such agencies in greater Philadelphia. The authors suggest that the increase in commercial ventures by nonprofits is to some extent a by-product of the expansion of government contracting in the social welfare field. They conclude that even when successful, commercial ventures pose significant risks to nonprofit agencies.

Factors in Differential Utilization of Services by Urban Elderly

This paper examines the extent to which people aged 60 years and over living in the inner city of New York utilize community services. It was found that agencies providing income maintenance were utilized by the highest percentage of fhe respondents, followed, in order, by the police, religious organizations, and the housing authority. Among the lowest in reported utilization were voluntary social agencies such as settlement houses and family service agencies. There was also a low level of utilization of visiting nurse and homemaker services. Differences in utilization were found among ethnic groups represented in the population. Reasons for the low level of service utilization are discussed.

Role expectations among agency personnel

concerning the formulation of policy. The executive director, who serves as a liaison between staff and board, shares this information with the board of directors, which has the ultimate power to formulate policy. Although it is possible to identify the primary functions of the board of directors, the executive director, and the staff, the actual operation of a voluntary agency entails the overlap ping of functions. For example, the community's need for a new service may be known and discussed sepa rately by all three divisions. Each can engage in such related tasks as apprais ing the community's need, assessing the present capability of the agency to initiate a new service, and planning for the funding of a new program. The decision to begin a new service, however, is a question of policy that rests with the board of directors. Fig ure 2 portrays the overlap of functions among the board of directors, the exe cutive director, and the staff. The literature on the management of voluntary social agencies indicates that a failure to observe the primary functions of each division can create conflict in administration. Role theory provides a perspective from which to study the proper functioning within the different divisions. Role expecta tion is an individual's concept of how the rights and duties of a position should be performed.2 Ideally the role expectations of the board, the executive director, and the staff should be similar to the primary functions of these divisions. The primary functions of each division are generally made known through an administrative man ual that sets forth the functions of each division or through annual training sessions for board members. To pre vent role ambiguity, it is essential that the role functions of each division are made clear both to members of that

Impact of Government Contracts on Voluntary Social Agencies

It is contended that the hidden incentives contained in governmental financing of voluntary services may constrict the independence of the agency

Strengthening the Contribution of Voluntary Social Agencies To Meeting Human Needs

Al Fraser's 90th birthday and retirement from active service with The Pennsylvania Prison Society occur during the 180th year of this fine voluntary social agency. Al is, therefore, half as old as the Society which in so many vital ways bears the imprint of his remarkable personality. Due as much to him as to anybody else, the Prison Society is a conspic uous example of a social agency providing effective professional services under voluntary auspices in the public interest. In himself and in his agency during the 1930's and 1940's, while he served as Executive Sec retary, Al achieved a rare and viable balance between the volunteer and the professional in agency organization and operations. At the same time, he worked unremittingly to bring about a true partnership between the agency itself, as a private non-profit organization, and the public cor rectional services in City and State.

Mental Retardation: The Role of the Voluntary Social Agency

Mental Retardation: The Role of the Voluntary Social Agency

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Children's Bureau Publication The Attorney's Part in Adoption, Children's Bureau Folder No. 47, is the third in the series of folders on adoption recently issued by the Children's Bureau. It deals with the part the attorney plays in the adoptive process. Fourteen attorneys, some engaged in the private practice of law, others faculty members in law schools and still others representatives of public or voluntary social agencies, met in Washington in May, 1958 to discuss the role of the attorney in adoption. Particular consideration was given to the legal aspects of adoption in relation to the natural parents, the child and to the adoptive parents. This leaflet is based on the principles discussed in this meeting. Copies are available from the Superintendent of Documents for 10 cents each with the usual discount of 25% on lots of 100 or more sent to one address.

The Refugee Relief Program: A Challenge to Voluntary Social Agencies

The Refugee Relief Program: A Challenge to Voluntary Social Agencies