The politics of supporting paraprofessionals.

Abstract

Paraprofessional programs are affected by complex political pressures. The psychologist who plans to support such programs should be aware of these pressures and should develop the techniques needed to deal with them effectively.Paraprofessional activities are "in" right now. Much is being written about manpower shortages (Albee, 1959(Albee, , 1963Arnoff, 1967;Kurkland, 1970), about youth's growing distrust of conventional institutions and approaches to social problems (Adler, 1969), and about the lack of street level experience among professionals (note the pictorial essay, "Voices," 1972). The 50-minute hour, to cite one example, is currently a popular target of criticism. Each of the pressures on professional psychologists to become more involved in organizing Paraprofessional activities has a certain validity.Of much more importance, however, is the existence of a street level need. If Requests for reprints should be sent to

Training Community Members to Serve as Paraprofessionals in an Evidence-Based, Prevention Program for Parents of Preschoolers

“…Experiential teaching also affords the opportunity to assess skill acquisition and to practice the feedback process (Gould, 2000). Finally, an informal, hands-on approach may help a program avoid "over-professionalizing" a paraprofessional program, thereby losing the desired image and qualities of a nonprofessional (Maierle, 1973).…”

The use of paraprofessionals in the helping profession: A look at trends in North America

“…This can result in an initially interested group becoming 'bored, overawed, or simply frustrated' (Groth-Marat, 1971). Maierle (1973)urges professionals to impose rigorous training programs with built4n mechanisms for evaluation and policy change. Such standards should though, in part, evolve from the trainees and their perception of the needs of the target population.…”

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“…One explanation given for the incomplete utilization of paraprofessionals in the mental health field is provided separately by Baker (1973), Cowen (1973), and Maierle (1973). They have all stated that one major obstacle to paraprofessional utilization is resistance on the part of professional mental health workers.…”