Transforming Human Services Organizations Through Empowerment of Neighbors

The Breakthrough Series Collaborative on Service Integration: A Mixed Methods Study of a Strengths-Based Initiative

“…The language of the strengths perspective includes concepts such as membership, wellness, resilience, and hope, seeking to replace words that draw attention to pathology with ones that empower people to see their capabilities (Greene et al, 2005;Rapp, Saleebey & Sullivan, 2005). Social workers engaging in strengths-based practice develop collaborative relationships that acknowledge the expertise of families and communities in knowing what works best when addressing the problems families face (Boyes-Watson, 2005;Colby, 1997). The dialogue and collaboration between family and worker seek to highlight abilities, resources, and past successes to accomplish current goals identified by the family (Sousa, Ribeiro, & Rodrigues, 2006).…”

“…In addition to collaboration between families and workers, we argue that the strengths perspective also highlights a need for communication between service providers and an enhanced integration of services. Critical to this perspective is the idea of partnering with families and communities in a way that raises their voice in the discourse about intervention and integration of social services (Boyes-Watson, 2005;Brun & Rapp, 2001;Colby, 1997;Leon, 1999).…”

“…Although there are several principles underlying the strengths perspective, "the first is a belief that people have the capacity to determine what is best for them" (Weick et al, 1989, p. 353). Colby (1997) suggests "a community must have ownership of the project" (p. 9), while Chapin (1995) similarly concludes "social policy that reflects the reality of its intended recipients is more likely if the policymakers are also the people directly affected by the policy" (p. 509). We contend that bringing the strengths of professionals, community leaders, and families together through collaboration for the purpose of seeking creative solutions provides an illustration of a strengths-based, community initiative on service integration.…”

Nongovernmental Organizations

“…Recently, the strengths perspective has been incorporated into neighborhood and community development efforts designed to address substance abuse (Colby, 1997), empower schools (Kurtz, 1997), strengthen neighborhoods (Morrison et al, 1997) and in community revitalization efforts (Page-Adams and Sherraden, 1997). The strengths perspective, with its emphasis on fostering the innate problem-solving capacities of individuals, families and communities, provides social workers with a framework that moves away from pathology and towards development and growth.…”

Community Engagement in Erosion Control of Riverbank in Walanae Watershed, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

“…The government should encourage the concept of community-based development to activate the potency of the human to be involved in riverbank protection. In the context of community development, three things need to be emphasized, namely public participation, community education, and sustainability [3], [4]. The involvement of local communities must begin in developing awareness of their problems and circumstances.…”