Place-Sensitive Policies in the Provision of Subnational Public Goods in Colombia

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 94-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Otero-Bahamón
Keyword(s):  
Public Goods ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Standards ◽  
Policy Frameworks ◽  
Healthcare Model ◽  
Different Characteristics

ABSTRACTWhat causes stark differences in living standards between subnational units? What can countries do to lessen such variations? This article argues that there is an aspect of national policy frameworks that impacts subnational provision of social services: the sensitivity of policy to the particularities of place. Place-sensitive policies make adaptations to the way social services are organized and provided across a country, so that they are better equipped to deal with the different characteristics of places and better support their well-being. When policies are place-sensitive, subnational provision is facilitated in poor, rural, and marginal locations in a country. In contrast, place-blind policies employ a one-size-fits-all approach that excludes people in vulnerable areas and aggravates inequalities in social service provision and social outcomes. By studying the Colombian case, this article demonstrates that a key placeblind feature of its healthcare model disproportionately affects small localities.

scholarly journals Challenges and Prospects for Digitizing the Social Service Providers' Activities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.E. Gasumova
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Social Institutions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Social Service Providers ◽  
The Social

This article presents the author’s definitions of “digitization of social service provision” and “digitization of social services” concepts and identifies the difference between them. It presents the results of an interview with 18 experts — the heads of institutions and organizations of social service provision implementing the rehabilitation of disabled people in Perm region. The research was conducted in 2019 and sought to identify problems and prospects for the digitization of the social services sphere. Interviewees rated their satisfaction regarding the convenience and time cost of automated systems that are currently being used in their organizations; characterized their needs in introducing various innovative interactive services, mobile applications, and other digital software; and expressed their attitude to various innovations. Social innovations were developed by the researchers and offered to experts by interviewers (for example, services for assessing the quality of work of specialists by service users, quick selection of the right social service, filing a complaint, referring a citizen to another organization, counseling in video mode, electronic appointment service, etc.). The research has shown how innovations can improve the performance of social service providers’ work and the quality of their interactions with citizens, which will ultimately increase the satisfaction of social service users and will positively affect the level of social well-being in society as a whole. A number of problems have been identified that currently impede the development of digitization: they are related to staff resources, the level of computerization, the lack of motivation among managers and personnel of social service organizations to implement innovative IT, and a certain distrust that such technologies can facilitate the activities of the organization and increase its effectiveness. Keywords: digitization, social service provision, social services, social institutions, social work

Team Managers in Local Social Service Departments in Israel as Bottom-Up Social Policy-Makers

2021 ◽  
pp. 324-345
Keyword(s):  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Psychosocial Services ◽  
Service Departments ◽  
New Policies

Following on Felice Perlmutter's work on the managerial role of social workers in social services, this article contributes to the still limited knowledge on the role of social workers in middle-management positions in formulating new policies `on the ground`. The study expands knowledge about policies determined by team managers in local social service departments in Israel. It occurs in the nexus between street-level bureaucracy, professionalism and managerial positions. Semi-structured interviews with 28 team managers revealed that they formulated `new` policies with regard to the provision of psychosocial services and material assistance (who gets what, when and how). This occurs when they resist official policy, when it is vague or non-existent. Most of their policy decisions are not documented and draw upon consultations with colleagues and superiors though not with clients. The team managers perceive these policies as a means for achieving balance between clients' well-being and budgetary constraints. Yet their decisions lack transparency, are decided upon without public discourse and may lead to greater inequity between clients

A DESCRIPTION OF THE CAREER PATH OF A "STREET KID" IN HONG KONG AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR LABOR LAWS, THE EDUCATION SYSTEM AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROVISION

1999 ◽  
Vol 33 (01n02) ◽  
pp. 73-85
Author(s):  
Peter Newbery
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Turning Point ◽  
Career Path ◽  
Labor Laws ◽  
Running Away ◽  
Critical Age ◽  
Pass Through

A study of existing research focusing on marginal and delinquent youths in Hong Kong makes it possible to describe a typical career path for marginal youths. They typically pass through five stages beginning with casually running away at the age of ten until eventually serving a second prison term at the age of 18. The age of 14 is an important turning point at which young people make crucial decisions, which either take them out of this path or fix them more firmly in it. The fact that 14 is a critical age has implications for labor laws, for the educational system and for the provision of social services. It is suggested that (rather than search for causes) this data makes it possible to identify the target group and prescribe interventions. 现时对香港边缘少年及年青罪犯的研究，可以清楚描述一个典型的边缘少年误入歧途所经过的阶段，就如十岁便离家出走 ... ... 十八岁便已经在监狱第二次服刑。 「十四岁」为这些少年，是他们生命中的一个转捩点，他们一是决定回归正途，或是更加泥足深陷，难以自拔。故此劳工法例、教育制度，以及社会服务等，应作出适当的修订及改革。 文中的资料并非为研究青年人误入歧途的原因，而是为确认出这类型的青少年及如何为他们提供协助。

scholarly journals Social Services Administration in Gwagwalada Area Council: Militating Factors

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irechukwu Eugenia Nkechi ◽  
Chima Paul
Keyword(s):  
Rural Development ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Personal Observation ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Rural Residents ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
The Social ◽  
Rural Dwellers

This study attempted to determine the factors militating against effective social services administration and its unfolding empirical manifestations on the well-being of the rural dwellers in Gwagwalada Area Council in Abuja, Nigeria as well as its attendant effects on rural development. Based on the data generated from 200 respondents (rural residents and staff of the area council) using questionnaire, interview and personal observation, it was discovered that lack of involvement of the rural dwellers in decisions regarding the design and implementation of the social service programmes by the Council is one of the key factors. The paper recommends accordingly among others, that effective social services administration should reflect the wishes and aspirations of beneficiaries. 

Building a European Community: social service provision between inclusion and economic interests

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 406-415
Author(s):  
Katinka Kraus
Keyword(s):  
European Commission ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
General Interest ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Economic Interests ◽  
Services Of General Interest

Inclusion and the associated provision of social services is a central fundamental right in the European Union. Social services of general interest are based on the principles of an inclusive welfare state enshrined in EU primary law. However, the European Commission tends to interpret these social services rather economically. This paper shows that the way in which these services are provided in the Member States is decisive for the categorization of an economic or non-economic activity by the European Commission. Whether social services are to be classified as being related to economic activities and, therefore, subject to the competition and internal market rules depends on their organization and structure.

scholarly journals Welfare States and Social Cohesion in Europe: Does Social Service Quality Matter?

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
RHYS ANDREWS ◽  
SEBASTIAN JILKE
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Services Quality ◽  
Welfare States ◽  
Social Solidarity ◽  
Economic Strain ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Eu

AbstractIn this article, the authors evaluate whether the provision of good quality social services has the potential to create social cohesion. In addition to examining the relationship between social services and social cohesion, the authors expand institutional theories of social capital by investigating whether this potential for building social solidarity may be resilient to the corrosive effects of economic strain. Multilevel analyses of variations in the perceptions of social cohesion amongst Europeans were conducted for 27 member countries of the EU using the Eurobarometer 74.1 on poverty and social exclusion from 2010. The results suggest that individuals receiving better quality social service provision perceived higher levels of social cohesion within the country in which they live. By contrast, individuals living in households experiencing economic strain perceived lower levels of cohesion. Further analysis revealed that the experience of economic strain does not weaken the positive relationship between social services quality and perceptions of cohesion.

scholarly journals Social Economy and Living Standards: Consumer Cooperatives in Barcelona, 1891–1935

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Francisco J. Medina-Albaladejo ◽  
Josep Pujol-Andreu
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Social Economy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Standards ◽  
Institutional Setting ◽  
Working Classes ◽  
The Social ◽  
Consumer Cooperatives

Abstract The living standards of the working classes during industrialization continue to be the subject of debate in European historiography. However, other factors closely related to the institutional setting, such as the role played by social economy and the institutions for collective action, are seldom considered. This study focuses on these factors, and attempts to quantify the social impact of consumer cooperatives. We argue that these institutions substantially improved the lot of the working classes from the mid-nineteenth century onwards, helping them to increase their incomes, and access food and services, such as education and social services, which the state did not provide in sufficient measure. To demonstrate this point, we analyse thirty-five consumer cooperatives in Barcelona, an industrial centre in which these organizations were more popular than anywhere else in Spain. Our main conclusion is that consumer cooperatives increased the well-being of their members, helping them to meet their substantial calorific needs, although their diets were unbalanced and low-cost; members improved their income between five and ten per cent, by simply shopping at the institution, and gained access to basic welfare services.

scholarly journals Arms for education? External support and rebel social services

2020 ◽  
pp. 002234332094074
Author(s):  
Reyko Huang ◽  
Patricia L Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Time Series Data ◽  
Third Party ◽  
External Support ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Rebel Governance ◽  
Rebel Groups ◽  
The Impact

How does foreign support for rebel groups affect rebel governance of civilians during armed conflict? Existing studies primarily examine the local and domestic politics of rebel rule, leaving the effects of foreign intervention on rebel governance underexplored. Focusing on rebel provision of social services, this study considers two competing arguments. The first suggests that foreign sponsorship reduces rebels’ need to rely on local civilians for resources and hence decreases rebels’ incentives to provide services. The second anticipates that by augmenting rebels’ resources and military capabilities, foreign support increases their capacity to provide welfare services. These competing logics suggest that different types of foreign support have divergent effects on rebel social service provision. The article tests this theory using cross-sectional time-series data on external support for rebel groups and rebel governance for the post-1945 period. It finds that rebel groups that receive external funding, weapons or training are significantly more likely to provide education and health services to civilians. In contrast, direct military intervention to assist insurgent forces has no effect on rebel service provision. This article is among the first to systematically study the impact of external support and third-party intervention on rebel social service provision during civil war and holds implications for civilian welfare in contested territories.

Water Poverty and Social Policy: A review of issues for research

1995 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meg Huby
Keyword(s):  
Social Policy ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Standards ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Income Levels ◽  
Abundant Evidence ◽  
Health And Well Being

ABSTRACTAbundant evidence exists to suggest that increasing numbers of people in England and Wales are facing difficulties in paying for water services. The reasons for these difficulties and their consequences are not easy to disentangle yet it is essential to understand them if policies for their alleviation are to be developed in the context of increasing costs of water service provision. This article suggests how social policy research can address the main issues at three levels: first by looking at economic, environmental and political considerations underlying increasing costs, the need for water conservation and changes in charging systems; second, by understanding how ability to pay depends not only on the resulting size of water bills, but also on income levels and access to organisational arrangements to help with payments; and third, by examining the impacts of inability to pay – debt and disconnection – on living standards, health and well-being.

scholarly journals Supervisory Leaders in Aging: One-Year Practice Change Outcomes of Innovative Training Program

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 19-19
Author(s):  
Daniel Kaplan ◽  
Barbara Silverstone ◽  
Keith Chan ◽  
Amanda Spishak-Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Practice Change ◽  
Staff Retention ◽  
The Social ◽  
Service Staff ◽  
One Year

Abstract Social services for older adults are instrumental in addressing vulnerabilities associated with aging. Yet, practitioners report needing expanded geriatric knowledge and enhanced supervision. Agency-based supervision is essential to skilled practice and staff retention, directly impacting the quality of services delivered by the teams they support. The Supervisory Leaders in Aging (SLA) program of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) was designed to strengthen supervision of the social service workforce. The SLA program, adopted in four states (IL, FL, MD, and NY), trained 134 MSW supervisors who support 1,200 social service staff, aimed at enhancing the well-being of 264,000 clients annually. This paper reports newly available final outcomes data from the 3-year implementation study of SLA. Trainees self-rated use of relevant supervisory best-practices was measured with novel 30-item instrument which captured frequency in use of supervisory best practices. The measure was administered prior to the first session and at three and twelve months after the final session. Comparisons of ratings across time periods demonstrate a range of positive and significant increases at the end of program workshops (0.12–0.56; mean of 0.30 points) and after one year (0.18–0.53; mean of 0.34 points). Supervisory best practices were maintained by those who already engaged in these behaviors, and participants who previously underutilized best practices adopted and maintained these behaviors as a result of the workshops. Implications of this tested model for enhancing workforce capacity will be discussed, including variation of impacts by supervisor characteristics and retention of learning gains over time.

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