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Implementing services integration and interagency collaboration: experiences in seven counties
- Authors:
- PACKARD Thomas, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Administration in Social Work, 37(4), 2013, pp.356-371.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study discusses how human service agencies implemented systems to improve service coordination through structural integration or interagency collaborative service delivery systems. Two sets of agencies were studied: four structurally integrated county agencies and three freestanding departments that had engaged in extensive interagency collaboration. Interviews and focus groups were held with key stakeholders in each county (executive staff, program directors/middle managers, supervisors, frontline workers, and consumer group representatives). Findings identified integration and change leadership principles, including clear processes to implement a powerful vision, a strongly committed executive team, stakeholder involvement, and aggressive marketing of the goals. (Edited publisher abstract)
Organizational change: a conceptual framework to advance the evidence base
- Author:
- PACKARD Thomas
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 23(1), 2013, pp.75-90.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Although there is a vast literature on organisational change, much of it is confined to individual case studies, practice wisdom, or evidence-based practice implementation. Quantitative studies are less common and typically address a limited number of variables. The weaknesses regarding conceptual frameworks, practice guidelines, and the evidence base point to a pressing need for increased knowledge regarding what factors are most relevant in implementing successful organisational change. The purpose of this paper is to offer a framework for adding to this knowledge base using the best available theory and findings on planned organisational change to present a comprehensive model of factors impacting organisational change. Particular attention is paid to the area that shows the most promise for developing actionable, research-based knowledge: the use of specific organisational change tactics to improve prospects for success in organisational change initiatives. The contributions of this paper are in 2 areas. First, the conceptual framework pulls together a range of variables regarding organisational change to consolidate existing work in the field. Secondly, the paper presents a research agenda regarding organisational change that is more comprehensive than that suggested in the existing literature.
Participant outcomes of a leadership development initiative in eight human service organisations
- Authors:
- COLOMA James, GIBSON Carrie, PACKARD Thomas
- Journal article citation:
- Administration in Social Work, 36(1), January 2012, pp.4-22.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
In 2005 a consortium of directors of human service organisations in Southern California established a leadership development initiative for their managers. It was designed for middle managers, to create a talent pool for promotion and to enhance organisational performance, and 166 people completed the programme over the first 6 years. This article describes the programme and presents results from an ongoing evaluation study. The evaluation methodology gathered data about participant satisfaction, enhanced skills and knowledge, changes in on-the-job behaviour, and changes in organisational outcomes. The authors report positive results in terms of satisfaction with programme activities, improvements in knowledge of topics covered, opportunities to transfer knowledge to the work setting, and improved performance.
Case-based learning: educating future human service managers
- Authors:
- AUSTIN Michael J., PACKARD Thomas
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 29(2), April 2009, pp.216-236.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Case-based teaching and learning provides a problem-solving laboratory to identify multiple alternatives to diverse situations. Through discussion and dialogue students learn new ways of looking at situations that challenge attitudes and mindset while learning to make decisions based on available information. Using teaching cases in professional education programs has gained increased attention in the past several decades but while it has been an important part of social work education, the majority of current casebooks focus on micro or direct practice issues and settings. Over the past forty years only four major casebooks have focused exclusively on the macro practice of social work. This analysis of case-based learning focuses on the classroom and is divided into the following sections: 1. The search for practice wisdom emerging from analysing cases within the context of management knowledge and skills. 2. Case discussion in the classroom, including student and instructor preparation, case selection and integration into the course, case debriefing, student-designed cases, and conceptual frameworks for teaching management. 3. A conclusion that identifies the benefits and limitations of case-based learning.
Using a comprehensive case-based examination to evaluate and integrate student learning in social work administration
- Authors:
- PACKARD Thomas, AUSTIN Michael J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 29(2), April 2009, pp.204-215.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The use of cases has a long history in social work education. However, the literature describes the case method primarily in the context of teaching and learning, its use as a student evaluation tool is less common. This analysis describes the use of management cases within in a comprehensive examination at the end of a two-year MSW program students specialising in administration practice. After a brief review of the literature on assessing educational outcomes, a description of the administration curriculum provides a framework for the case-based examination process. Examples of student responses are provided and the analysis concludes with a discussion of issues and implications for future research. One such issue is the rating procedure and the need for greater inter-rater reliability. Another limitation is that this examination can only describe what the student intends to do or might do, it cannot adequately reflect how they might function as an administrator in the real case situation. As such case-based examinations can only form part of a full evaluation of student abilities by multiple assessments.
Cutback management strategies: experiences in nine county human service agencies
- Authors:
- PACKARD Thomas, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Administration in Social Work, 32(1), 2008, pp.55-75.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study identifies successful strategies and tactics used to address budget reductions in social service agencies. Strategic themes included: collaborative leadership; taking a big picture approach; maintaining focus through strategic planning; developing relationships with key constituencies; communicating with staff; preserving staff capacity; decentralised decision making; and using data to guide decision making. Tactics operated in areas such as: minimising the impact of budget cuts; building staff understanding, acceptance and support; developing processes for deciding how to allocate cuts; increasing productivity; and modifying levels and types of service. Implications for practice are discussed. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Issues in designing and adapting an administration concentration
- Author:
- PACKARD Thomas
- Journal article citation:
- Administration in Social Work, 28(1), 2004, pp.5-20.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Suggests issues to consider in the design of an administration concentration, using a case study for illustration. Management competencies of graduates are offered as the products that focus the design process. Strategic planning and program design techniques, including environmental scanning, monitoring for quality assurance, and mechanisms to link various aspects of the curriculum, are suggested. Key design principles include data collection and analysis to identify emerging needs and opportunities, monitoring to ensure program quality, and learning organization concepts. Areas for further research include determining management competencies, course and fieldwork content, measuring competence, and identifying and disseminating best practice. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Nothing in-nothing out: barriers to the use of performance data in social service programs
- Authors:
- CARRILIO Terry E., PACKARD Thomas, CLAPP John D.
- Journal article citation:
- Administration in Social Work, 27(4), 2003, pp.61-76.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
There is an increased expectation that social service programs will measure outcomes. This article presents data from a multi-site statewide evaluation of a state-funded family support programme. Using multiple methods, the authors observed that participating programmes did not consistently make use of the information systems that would help them collect data required by the funder, even with a great deal of support, technical assistance, and training, This Nothing In Nothing Out phenomenon represents a major barrier to data-based program planning and management. The impact of leadership, attitudes, accountability expectations, and organisational culture on how programmes collect and utilise data are described in this multi-site case study.
Evaluation of a training curriculum for inter-agency collaboration
- Authors:
- JONES Loring, PACKARD Thomas, NAHRSTEDT Kirsten
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Community Practice, 10(3), 2002, pp.23-39.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philapelphia, USA
The goal of this training programme was the development of child welfare practitioners and community professionals who have the ability to respond effectively to complex family problems of child abuse and neglect resulting from substance abuse, mental illness, and domestic violence. A quasi-experimental design utilizing pre- and post measures was used to test the impact of interdisciplinary training. The evaluation shows gains in trainee knowledge, positive attitudes toward collaboration, and the trainees reported more collaboration in their own practice between the pre- and post tests that was sustained in a follow-up.
Enhancing staff commitment through organizational values: the case of a homeless shelter
- Author:
- PACKARD Thomas
- Journal article citation:
- Administration in Social Work, 25(3), 2001, pp.35-52.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The power of values statements to focus the efforts of an organization and motivate its staff has become increasingly apparent in recent years. This article presents efforts of a large homeless shelter in the USA to articulate and institutionalize a set of organizational values to guide work with clients. A cross-sectional survey of staff identified factors which helped enable staff to use the values on a daily basis. Awareness of and commitment to the organization's values were significantly related to using the values to guide one's decision making. Commitment to the values was also significantly related to staff having positive views of clients and being committed to high performance.