Ebook: Human Services Management: Organizational Leadership in Social Work Practice

This book assists participants in human service organizations in understanding the dynamics that are shaping such organizations. Austin's comprehensive analysis of human services management examines the historical development and program structures of such organizations; their stakeholders, including users, personnel, funders, and policy boards; and the organizational processes of accountability and dealing with change.

Human services management occurs in nonprofit, governmental, and for-profit sectors and involves a wide variety of organizational structures. These diverse conditions shape the effort to produce and project services that directly affect the quality of life of individuals, families, and communities through social welfare, health and mental health, criminal justice, and educational services. David Austin begins with an examination of the historical development and distinctive characteristics of human service organizations, the variety of organizational and program structures at play, and the connection of individual service organizations with service delivery networks. He then examines of the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholder constituencies, including service users, service personnel (especially service professionals), funders, executives, and policy boards. The final two chapters discuss two organizational processes: accountability for effectiveness and dealing with organizational changes.