The private practice of social work has been either central or tangential to many historical and contemporary social work issues. Over the years it has been inherent in debates and discussions on professionalism, cause versus function (or macro versus micro), public versus private (or privatization), elitism, control of title, registration or licensing and vendorship (or third-party payments). Private practice has been debated and discussed at two different levels. Historically, it was mainly debated at a higher level—the level of ideologies and philosophies which reflected various deeply held value posititions. More recently a superficial shift has occurred that has moved the debate to a lower level and has focussed the discussions on descriptions of the characteristics of private practice. These descriptions are sometimes contradictory, sometimes inconclusive, and almost always, originate from the United States. Nonetheless, they too are used as arguments both against and in support of private practice. On the higher level, this paper researched private practice in the context of its relationship to professionalism and theories of professionalization. On the lower level, through a self-administered mailed questionnaire, private practitioners in Greater Vancouver were surveyed in order to obtain an accurate and current, description of private practice within the defined geographical area. Many of the descriptions reported in the private practice literature were supported by this sample and others were not. Due to the developing leadership role of professionals within society, professionalization was determined to be beneficial to the profession. Private practice was found to be the delivery model most consistent with early criteria of professionalization. However, recent authors (Austin, 1983; Popple, 1985) have rejected some of the criteria previously asserted as needing to be fulfilled in order to attain professional status. It was therefore concluded that while private practice historically advanced the professionalization of social work, the continuance or the expansion of private practice is not necessary in order to either attain further professional status or to retain that which has already been achieved. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

The shifts in human services re-organization in Canada, and in particular the strategc shifts outlined by the Ministry of Children and Family Development in British Columbia have underscored the importance of the inclusion of communities, service users and parents in service planning. This qualitative case study explores the involvement and participation of parents as clients in multidisciplinary collaborative practice within the family resource program model of service delivery. Data was collected using semi - structured individual interviews and a document review at two sites. A thematic analysis generated major findings in two areas, 1) the framing of multidisciplinary collaborative practice and parent inclusion by the organizational milieu; 'LA and 2) the influence of service contracts, organizational policies and procedures, and work-place relationships on the service approaches. The study includes recommendations for policy and practice, suggested for funding bodies, multi-service community-based agencies, and family resource programs, and recommendations for additional research.

The purpose of this project is to conduct a detailed evaluation of the Vancouver Planned Parenthood clinic volunteer program. The primary focus of this study is volunteer recruitment and retention. The simplicity of individual perspectives commonly employed in volunteer theories and research is rejected in this research project. A multi-leveled sociological analysis stemming from an organizational behaviour framework is used as an alternative approach to broaden the scope of this case study. The five levels of analysis used to examine the volunteer program in this study are: 1) individual level of analysis, 2) group behaviour, 3) interpersonal and organizational processes, 4) organizational structure and job design, and 5) organizational environment. Multiple factors are discussed under each level of analysis. A triangulation of methods, comprised of interviews with volunteers, observational analysis, and document analysis, is used to provide a rich analysis of the volunteer program. Interpretations of the findings demonstrate that many factors beyond the individual level influence volunteer recruitment and retention. Results show that this particular volunteer program is operating below its maximum effectiveness, and that high volunteer turnover results in this atmosphere. Practical and theoretical implications of this case study are explored and recommendations are offered.

The purpose of this project is to conduct a detailed evaluation of the Vancouver Planned Parenthood clinic volunteer program. The primary focus of this study is volunteer recruitment and retention. The simplicity of individual perspectives commonly employed in volunteer theories and research is rejected in this research project. A multi-leveled sociological analysis stemming from an organizational behaviour framework is used as an alternative approach to broaden the scope of this case study. The five levels of analysis used to examine the volunteer program in this study are: 1) individual level of analysis, 2) group behaviour, 3) interpersonal and organizational processes, 4) organizational structure and job design, and 5) organizational environment. Multiple factors are discussed under each level of analysis. A triangulation of methods, comprised of interviews with volunteers, observational analysis, and document analysis, is used to provide a rich analysis of the volunteer program. Interpretations of the findings demonstrate that many factors beyond the individual level influence volunteer recruitment and retention. Results show that this particular volunteer program is operating below its maximum effectiveness, and that high volunteer turnover results in this atmosphere. Practical and theoretical implications of this case study are explored and recommendations are offered. / Arts, Faculty of / Sociology, Department of / Graduate

The demise of Keynesianism and the advent of monetarism has had a profound impact on the Canadian 'welfare state'. In British Columbia, as in other provinces, monetarist policies have included a 'down-sizing' of government, and a resurrection of a strategy of privatization in the social service sector. In some instances, privatization has meant abandonment; that is, the government has both shed its responsibility for providing many public sector social services and either reduced or eliminated funds which were directed into the non-profit sector through the system of 'contracting-out'. With the loss of revenue, many non-profit social service agencies have been forced to seek alternative sources of funding. The contents of newspaper stories and other articles indicated that some had turned to gaming in order to raise funds. Therefore, recent developments in the gaming industry in British Columbia were explored in order to provide some insight into their relevance for, and impact on, the non-profit social service sector. In addition, a survey was undertaken in order to determine the impact of these developments on a sample of non-profit social service agencies in the Greater Vancouver area. The results indicate that certain trends are emerging across the non-profit sector. Agencies reported an increased demand for services and, for some, the proceeds from either bingos or casinos have been crucial in both maintaining current levels of services and providing other benefits. The implications of this development are explored; for example, in some agencies, fund-raising has reduced the staff hours spent in direct service while otherwise increasing workloads; some agencies are becoming more 'entrepreneurial' in order to provide necessary social services; and, it may be that certain client groups are paying for their own social service programs. While non-profit social service agencies are turning to gaming in order to provide programs and services which the government will no longer support, the government's public statements regarding the future of the gaming industry, and its actions in this area, have been ambiguous. On the one hand, policy-makers have made public statements to the effect that there will be no extension of legalized gambling beyond that which is provided by non-profit groups. On the other hand, the government is moving to increase its gaming revenues through direct means, such as establishing casinos, and indirect means, such as increasing licence fees levied on non-profit organizations wishing to conduct gaming events. It is contended that neither privatization nor gambling are 'immoral'. However, what is perhaps problematic is the recent marriage of the two phenomena. By reducing direct services, as well as curtailing funding to the non-profit sector, the government has restrained its expenditures. When non-profit organizations turn to gaming, they become a source of revenue for the government while simultaneously providing the vital social services which the government has abandoned. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

Four of Vancouver's eight neighbourhood houses were studied to determine the extent to which they are social work agencies and to ascertain what types of social work each engages in. Related questions addressed include the roles of neighbourhood house voluntary boards of directors, the effects and implications of government funding of neighbourhood house programs, and the extent to which houses have departed from their historic roles. The four houses studied were consciously chosen so as to represent two which belong to the Neighbourhood Services Association and two which are independent, in that they belong directly to the United Way. An old and a new house of each type was selected so as to provide a further basis for valid comparisons Neighbourhood houses are clearly social work agencies. Programs of the casework and group work type are predominate. Two of the houses, in particular, also carry out extensive community organization work. Volunteer board members play significant roles. However, the nature of their roles varies according to length of tenure of the director, their past or current involvement in house programs, and their perceptions of the purpose of volunteer boards. Generally speaking, the longer the director's term and the more board members participate in house programs, the less significant is their role in making important policy, programming, staffing and budget decisions. Two of the four neighbourhood houses have departed from roles played by the early settlement houses. One reason for an increased emphasis on casework and group work programs at the expense of community organization is neighbourhood house reliance on government funding to provide direct services to target groups. The change in emphasis of house programming occurs, not through exercise of overt government control but, in part, because administration of publicly funded services takes time and energy away from community organization work. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

This case study examines the development of a co-operative to govern a collaboration of health and social service agencies in a town in British Columbia. Community action research was the methodology used to answer the question 'What are the possibilities and issues of co-operative governance for collaboration among nonprofit agencies?' Documents, participant observation, and interviews constituted the data. The analysis is presented in four ways: the chronological stages of development; the way the participants began to act like the co-op they wanted to become; the features of membership in comparison to the seven Principles adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance; and the issues of concern. The findings are that participants established a shared vision, formed new relationships in a network governed as a co-operative, and added new resources to enhance the social capital of the community. A co-operative governance model, newly possible after changes in the BC legislation governing co-operatives, was chosen and put into practice because it was seen as innovative, flexible and egalitarian. This choice indicated a new purpose, to build mutual trust and a sectoral voice within the social economy through co-operative practice. The members expect that their cooperative will help them cope with change by providing a forum for learning and consensus building. The development of the co-op can claim to be health promoting because it built social capital and increased community control of conditions affecting the lives of children, youth and their caregivers.

The Community Response Network in Kelowna was formed from the policydriven elder abuse committee and as a response to the Adult Guardianship Act of British Columbia enacted in 2000. After the inception of the act that addresses abuse, neglect and self-neglect of adults, the Community Response Network - a community development initiative that was implemented from social policy - was unsure of its role in the community. The purpose of this qualitative research is to assist the network in defining its role in supporting adults who may be vulnerable to harm. What is the role of the Community Response Network? What did the network do in the past? How effective was it? Who should be involved? It was thought that the network would continue to offer education and awareness to community members. Through a purposeful convenience sample of participants in both a focus group and individual interviews, various themes such as structure, values, context and tasks were evident through verbatim analysis. As well, through a feminist analysis, several dichotomies and inconsistencies were interpreted. Recommendations for the network include continuing education and awareness workshops, strengthening linkages in the community, and inviting a diverse group of people to become involved in the committee.

The Community Response Network in Kelowna was formed from the policydriven elder abuse committee and as a response to the Adult Guardianship Act of British Columbia enacted in 2000. After the inception of the act that addresses abuse, neglect and self-neglect of adults, the Community Response Network - a community development initiative that was implemented from social policy - was unsure of its role in the community. The purpose of this qualitative research is to assist the network in defining its role in supporting adults who may be vulnerable to harm. What is the role of the Community Response Network? What did the network do in the past? How effective was it? Who should be involved? It was thought that the network would continue to offer education and awareness to community members. Through a purposeful convenience sample of participants in both a focus group and individual interviews, various themes such as structure, values, context and tasks were evident through verbatim analysis. As well, through a feminist analysis, several dichotomies and inconsistencies were interpreted. Recommendations for the network include continuing education and awareness workshops, strengthening linkages in the community, and inviting a diverse group of people to become involved in the committee. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate