16.11.2014 Views

2006 - School of Social Service Administration - University of Chicago

2006 - School of Social Service Administration - University of Chicago

2006 - School of Social Service Administration - University of Chicago

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

DISSERTATION ABSTRACTS<br />

MAJOR FINDINGS<br />

What emerged is a portrait <strong>of</strong> the daily activities that reflects workers’<br />

negotiations and coordination activities. In the midst <strong>of</strong> these activities, direct<br />

practice with clients themselves represents the most pr<strong>of</strong>ound source <strong>of</strong><br />

satisfaction as well as the greatest challenges for staff.<br />

PRINCIPLE CONCLUSIONS<br />

Interfaith House’s holistic interdisciplinary approach emerged as the central<br />

organizing principle for service provision. This holistic approach led the<br />

agency to expand its on-site services through external linkages, enhancing the<br />

way workers are able to respond to client needs. The availability <strong>of</strong> on-site<br />

services was cited as a source <strong>of</strong> job satisfaction. Staff reported they were able<br />

to make a more personalized contribution to client care. Workers attributed<br />

the holistic multidisciplinary approach to enhanced job satisfaction for workers<br />

and better outcomes for clients at Interfaith House.<br />

ABOUT THE AUTHOR<br />

LISSETTE M. PIEDRA is an assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Illinois at Urbana–Champaign<br />

<strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Social</strong> Work. Her research interests center on how race and ethnicity intersect with class<br />

to influence the development, delivery, and utilization <strong>of</strong> health and social services for vulnerable<br />

populations. She is the coeditor <strong>of</strong> the forthcoming book Our Diverse Society (NASW Press).<br />

She received her M.S.W. from Loyola <strong>University</strong> <strong>Chicago</strong>.<br />

79

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!