Woodside & McClam (2009). An Introduction to
Human Services, 6th Edition. CA: Brooks/Cole
Human Services

What are the six perspectives in which the
field of Human Services are derived?
Human Services

Themes and purposes of human services
 Interdisciplinary nature of human services
 The Helping relationship
 Management principles
 Professional roles
 Professional activities
CH 1
An Introduction to Human Services





The definition of human services is derived from six
perspectives.
These perspectives summarize the principles that guide the
delivery of human services.
They come from scholars and prominent leaders in the
field.
Understanding and integrating these diverse perspectives
will help you formulate a definition of human services.
Woodside & McClam (2009)
Human Services

Describe the themes and purposes of human
services.
Themes & Purposes of
Human Services






These themes and purposes have emerged over the past
five decades. These themes include:
Concerns with problems in living
Increase in problems in our modern world
The need for self-sufficiency
The goals for social care, social control, and rehabilitation.
Woodside & McClam (2009)
Human Services

What is meant by “Problems in Living?”
Problems in living





Human services has developed in response to the needs of individuals,
groups, or communities for assistance to live better lives.
Some problems in living include adolescent rebellion, parenthood,
mid-life crises, caring for aging parents, and death and dying.
Others arise in connection with family and community; these may
include relating to children, parents, and spouses; maintaining progress
in education; adapting to a new culture and language, and sustaining
work performance.
An important aspect of problems in living is individuals encountering
difficulty in interacting with their environment.
Human services addresses problems in living, with a focus on both the
individual or group and the situation or event (Woodside & McClam ,
2009).
Human Services

Define “Growing Problems in the Modern
World.”
Growing Problems in the
Modern World







Human services has emerged in response to the growth in human
problems in the modern world.
A growing number of people feel alienated and isolated from their
neighbors and communities.
Individuals worry and stress about meeting their basic needs.
Illiteracy, a lack of employable skills, and unemployment rates and low
wages add to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, particularly in
the technology age.
There are also concerns about overpopulation, malnutrition, the
environment, nuclear war, terrorism, genocide, and religious and social
conflict, gas and energy prices, the housing market, failing financial
institutions, etc.
An effective system will help those in need of addressing such issues.
Woodside & McClam (2009).
Human Services

What is meant by “Self-sufficiency?”
Self-Sufficiency





A key to successful service delivery is providing clients with the
opportunity and support to be self-sufficient.
Economic self-sufficiency strengthens an individual’s self-esteem.
It is important to empower clients to make decisions and assume
responsibility for their actions.
Clients are encouraged to be independent and gain control of their own
lives as soon as they are able.
They gain belief in themselves or the efficacy to make the changes
needed to be self-sufficient (Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Human Service

What is the difference between “Social
Care, Social Control, and Rehabilitation?”
Social Care, Social Control, &
Rehabilitation





Social care is assisting clients in meeting their social needs, with the
focus on those who cannot care for themselves (elderly, children,
victims of crime, disasters, or crisis).
Social control differs from social care in two fundamental ways: who
receives the services and under what conditions they receive them.
Most recipients of social control are able to care for themselves but
have either failed to do so or have done so in a manner that violates
society’s norms for appropriate behavior.
The purpose of such services is to monitor or restrict clients’
independence for a specific time because of law violation (those in the
criminal justice system).
Rehabilitation is the task of returning an individual to a prior level of
functioning (veterans, those with physical disabilities, victims of
trauma) (Woodside & McClam , 2009).
Human Services

Name the three disciplines that inform the
interdisciplinary nature of human services
and define each.
The Interdisciplinary Nature of
Human Services

The three primary academic disciplines that
provide an integration of knowledge are
sociology, psychology, and anthropology.
 Each discipline brings a unique perspective to the
understanding of the nature of the individual,
families, and groups of people.
 They focus upon the context of the environment in
which daily living occurs and the interaction
between the two (Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Sociology

Examines the ways in which human societies
influence the people who live in these societies.
 Sociology assesses the individual and the broader
culture, and tries to account for and understand the
differences within human culture.
 It helps human service professionals understand
elements of life that affect living, such as family
structure, family roles, gender, race, and poverty.
 Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Psychology




Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior.
It embraces all aspects of the human experience – from the
functions of the brain to the actions of nations, from child
development to care for the aged.
It examines how people think, feel, and behave and
explores why they think, feel, and behave.
Psychology analyzes behavior and mental processes from
the physiological, behavioral, cognitive, and
psychodynamic perspectives (Woodside & McClam,
2009).
Anthropology




Anthropology studies the cultural, physical, and social development of
humans and the variation in their customs and beliefs.
They study culture in its broadest sense. They may study groups who
live in remote areas of the globe or individuals in the mainstream
culture in diverse settings.
They may work in the business environment studying such topics as
the culture of work, employee relations, and human resources. In this
context, they are learning about employee problems on the job by
learning about employee perceptions and behavior.
By integrating disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and
anthropology, human services professionals can attain knowledge of
individuals, an understanding of society and its relationship to
individuals and families, and the culture in which people live . This
allows them to relate to their clients more effectively (Woodside &
McClam, 2009).
Relationship Between Client & Helper






The delivery of human services involves both the client and the helper.
Clients are active participants in many different systems that influence
their circumstances.
Services must be delivered with an understanding of the client’s
culture and with the client’s participation.
Helpers must attempt to see situations through the client’s eyes.
Professionals must also function as educators and help clients to
develop certain skills to increase their intellectual, emotional, and
behavioral options.
Clients should be treated as thinking, feeling, and acting human beings
who are capable of change (Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Human Services

Name and define the three management
principles related to service delivery in
human services organizations?
Management Principles





Three principles characterize service delivery: networking to develop a
human service umbrella/ bridge, forming teams and partnerships, and
using case management.
Human services is not a single service delivery system but a complex
web of helping agencies and organizations.
It encompasses several services but is not limited to child, youth, and
family services; corrections; mental health; public health; crisis
intervention; and education.
An effective service delivery system includes increased
communication, cooperation, and collaboration among helpers and
agencies.
Scarce resources has altered service delivery philosophy by limiting
services, tightening eligibility criteria, and focusing on short-term
interventions (Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Management Principles








“Networking” is linking human service agencies. It is building bridges
between agencies, organizations, and services.
“Teamwork” principles include:
The customer is central to the planning & delivery of services.
Members of teams must work together cooperatively.
Continual communication between team members.
Shared responsibility, authority, and accountability.
Partnerships are formed when two or more human service
organizations agree to work together toward a common goal.
The goal of “case management” is to teach those who need assistance
to manage their own lives & to support them when expertise is needed
or a crisis occurs (Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Roles





Services are provided in a variety of settings. Helpers need
a broad-based education and willingness to adapt to
changing roles and circumstances.
The generalist has the knowledge, values, and skills to
perform several job functions in various environments.
They use both micro and macro perspectives.
The micro system is represented by the individuals in the
client’s environment and might include family, friends,
teachers, coworkers, and individuals within the human
service delivery system.
The macro system is represented by the organizations,
agencies, communities, and neighborhood locations where
clients interact (Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Roles




Volunteers contribute considerable staff power within the human
service sector. They are valuable resources, particularly in times of
decreased funding. They personalize services, can be good advocates,
and brings new skills and interests and a high level of enthusiasm to an
agency setting.
Self-help groups consist of laypeople from all walks of life who come
together to create a mutual support system to meet their own needs.
Members share a common problem, they consider themselves peers,
and they organize separately from human services organizations.
Such groups raise consciousness, secure political rights, and provide
support for behavior changes.
Mother Against Drunk Driving (MADD) (Woodside & McClam,
2009).
Activities

The professional activities of human service
helpers are often discussed in professional
literature and are defined by the helper’s
relationship with clients and other
professionals, academic training, ethical
standards, continuing education, and
measured competence (Woodside &
McClam, 2009).
CH 2 History of Helping

Who was responsible for the poor and
needy before and during the Middle Ages?
CH 2
History of Helping




Before the Middle Ages, feudal lords had assumed
responsibility for care of the sick and poor on their lands.
Needy people received aid from human service institutions
such as orphanages, Church, and later the government.
Hospitals not only provided medical assistance but fed and
housed tired travelers, orphans, elderly, and the poor.
Insane asylums were established in Europe in the 15th and
16th centuries but did not provide effective treatment
(Woodside & McClam, 2009).
History of Helping

What factors created the need for the
Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601?
 Why was this law so important relative to
human services?
History of Helping




Relief for the poor was the responsibility of the Church
during the Middle Ages.
The care of the poor by the Church altered as the nature
and incidence of poverty changed with socioeconomic
conditions.
The decline of feudalism, the growth of commerce, and the
beginning of industrialization made it necessary to find
new ways of assisting those in need.
A new type of economy and employment needs of the
industrial revolution affected numbers of poor people
(Woodside & McClam, 2009).
History




The growth of commerce encouraged the development of a
money economy, based on capital investment, credit,
interest, rent, and wages.
This system was very different from a rural economy,
which depended on the bartering of goods and services.
The poor could no longer survive by bartering, they had
little money for basic needs.
In England, the pressures of the poor in cities created the
need for a large-scale attack on poverty and prompted the
passage of the Elizabethan Poor Laws of 1601 (Woodside
& McClam, 2009).
Elizabethan Poor Law



Provided a clear definition of the “poor” and articulated
services that they were to receive.
This legislation was critical in the history of human
services. It guided social welfare practices in England and
the United States for the next 350 years by specifying who
was to provide services to those in need.
More significantly, this legislation acknowledged that the
state had a responsibility to relieve need and suffering and
that the disadvantaged not only deserved assistance but
also had a legal right to it (Woodside & McClam, 2009).
History of Helping

Name and define the social philosophies
that contributed to the belief that poverty
was the fault of the individual.
The 19th Century
By the Early 1800’s the belief that the needy deserved
governmental public assistance changed in the U.S.
 Poverty was viewed as the fault of the individual, and
public aid was thought to cause and encourage poverty.
 The belief that being poor was a crime manifested in the
Poor Law Reform Bill of 1834. Its purpose was to limit the
expansion of services provided to the poor.
 The social philosophies of individualism, the work ethic,
economic liassez-faire, and Social Darwinism promoted
further changes in attitudes toward the needy (Woodside &
McClam, 2009).

Social Philosophies



Individualism- the individual was held solely responsible
for his/her life's circumstances.
Laissez – faire – an economic concept that focused on
societal rather than individual responsibility. This
philosophy opposed the provision of any human services
as a right of the individual.
Social Darwinism – The philosophy that the natural order
of life was that the strong survive and the unfit, not being
able to meet their own needs, would perish (Woodside &
McClam, 2008).
Social Philosophies




The aforementioned philosophies encouraged the belief that nothing
could be done about the situation of the working class and the poor,
who faced long work hours, low wages, child labor, and unhealthy
work conditions.
These prevailing belief systems discouraged providing services and
limited services to those who desperately needed assistance.
As welfare problems grew, the private sector was unable to meet
increasing demands. In spite of the prevailing philosophies there was a
growing demand for public agencies to assume more responsibilities
for the poor.
By the 1850’s, specialized institutions had been established for persons
with mental illness, juvenile delinquents, the deaf and blind, and
criminals. These institutions were established on the belief that reform,
rehabilitation, and education were possible (Woodside & McClam,
2009).
Early 20th Centuries





During this period of social reform, the first seeds of the
mental health movement were formed, and federal
legislation provided broad government support for many
Americans.
The early 1990’s, sometimes called the sociological era,
continued the period of social reform.
Two significant events or changes affected the history of
helping and human services.
The development of a new profession, the social work
(Woodside & McClam, 2009).
20th Century

The basis for the the new profession of social workers was
the belief that such people needed specific skills,
knowledge, and understanding to work effectively with the
poor.
 The development of this profession is significant; it
represents the beginning of the professionalization of
human services.
 Later in this century, the fields of welfare, mental health,
child guidance, and probation also became
professionalized.
 The reexamination of the causes of poverty also took place
(Woodside & McClam, 2009).
20th Century
A group called the “muckrakers” actively
criticized the wealthy, accusing them of moral
decay, cheating, and bribery.
 They exposed unfair business, government, and
labor practices.
 They supported the idea that poverty was caused
by social and economic conditions, and not by the
individual.
 The “muckrakers” proposed that improvements in
housing and working conditions could help
eliminate poverty (Woodside & McClam, 2009).

History of Helping

What impact did President Franklin D.
Roosevelt have on human services?
Increased Federal Involvement




The Great Depression was marked by vast unemployment, failing
business ventures, and the collapse of banks.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the New Deal legislation
that fundamentally changed the federal government’s role in providing
human services, focusing on two goals. The first goal was to provide
short-term aid to those who were unemployed
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC) were but two of the work relief programs
implemented.
The second focus was the enactment of the Social Security Act of 1935
as protection against future economic hardships (Woodside &
McClam, 2009).
Social Security Act






The (SSA) was the cornerstone of the present American social welfare
system and was passed in response to the need for human services.
It translated into action the belief that Americans had the right to
protection from economic instability.
Federal government assumed responsibility for the economic security
of its citizens.
It expanded welfare activities & improved their standards by
establishing a new alignment of responsibility in public welfare.
The policy of federal aid or grants to states began, thus closing the
door on the “poor law reform bill” principle of responsibility.
The act provided assistance in the areas of social insurance, public
assistance, & health and welfare services (Woodside & McClam,
2009).
Mid –20th Century



An important step in the provision of services to those with mental
illness was the passage of the National Mental Health Act of 1946.
This act created a Mental Hygiene Division within the U.S. Public
Health Service and a center for information and research, which later
became the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH). This agency
played a critical role in the human service movement.
The Mental Health Study Act of 1955 acknowledged personnel
shortages in mental health.
The Community Health Centers Act of 1963 established the National
Institute for Mental Health (NIMH). NIMH was directed to set
requirements and regulations for the establishments of community
mental health centers (Woodside & McClam, 2009).
History of Helping

How did President Lyndon Johnson impact
human services?
President Lyndon Johnson




President Lyndon Johnson declared a war on poverty in 1965.
Such programs as the Job Corps, College Work Study, and Head Start
were created to combat the war of poverty by providing ways for the
poor to improve their economic conditions.
Johnson also promoted the rights of the poor. The voting rights act of
1965 abolished the literacy tests that had been used to deny uneducated
people the right to vote, and the Affirmative Action Order of 1968 and
the Office of Economic Opportunity improved employment
opportunities for minorities.
The president approved the amendments of Medicare & Medicaid to
the Social Security Act, on July 30, 1965 (Woodside & McClam,
2009).
Human Services Movement


Since the 1960’s the human services movement has
experienced unprecedented growth, evidenced by the
increased number of training programs, increased size of
the mental health delivery system, and the development of
the human services administration at the federal level.
In 1966, the first human service educational program was
established at Purdue University, a two-year associate
degree program that focused on the training of entry-level
mental health workers (Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Human Services Movement





A movement toward professionalism in the field of human
services emerged.
Two organizations were influential in this area.
Both the National Organization for Human Services
(NOHS) and the Council for Standards in Human Services
Education (CSHSE), are still active today.
Such organizations regulate a profession or its workers,
facilitate communication among its members, or foster
excellence in research or services within the profession.
They were established in the 1970’s (Woodside &
McClam, 2009).
History of Helping

How did Presidents Nixon and Reagan
impact human services?
 What was the impact of Proposition 13 on
human services?
Late 20th Century

President Nixon had a more conservative approach to
human services. Both a decline in federal spending and
different ways of managing human service programs were
two important changes.
 Nixon’s New Federalism called for individuals to assume
responsibility for their own situation, Power, resources,
and influence began to flow back to the states and local
communities.
 The emphasis was on the development of self-help
programs and the provision of services by the private
sector (Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Dismantling Welfare



From the 1930’s to the 1980’s , the government’s social
policy was to assume responsibility for citizens who could
not provide a reasonable quality of life for themselves.
Proposition 13 was an amendment to the state constitution.
The goal of the legislation was to amend the property tax
structure. This resulted in less money for services,
including social services.
The passage of Proposition 13 was an early sign of the
changing attitude of the American public toward
government spending for human services (Woodside &
McClam, 2009).
President Reagan





Ronald Reagan was elected on a platform that called for establishing
new priorities in human services, slashing government spending, and
reducing the government’s involvement in human services.
One of his priorities was to return the administration of human services
to the individual states, communities, and private sources
He terminated a number of social programs and drastically cut
spending on others.
Those affected included “childcare, school lunch & other nutrition
programs, food stamps, subsidized housing, energy assistance, family
planning, public and mental health services, alcohol and drug abuse
counseling, legal aid, and others.
A result of Reagan’s policies expanded the number of nonprofit &
private agencies in human services (Woodside & McClam, 2009).
History of Helping

What impact did Presidents George Bush
Sr., Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush Jr.
have on human services?
Welfare



The most significant human service legislation from
George Bush Sr. was the American with Disabilities Act
(ADA), which was passed in 1990.
It was designed to to get people with disabilities into the
workforce who were kept out by discrimination and other
barriers.
Most of his policies focused on foreign policies and a lack
of attention to domestic issues (Woodside & McClam,
2009).
Welfare



A declining economy, the growing gap between the rich
and poor, and the need for welfare reform all contributed to
Bill Clinton’s 1992 election.
Clinton reformed the welfare system by proposing a new
law that emphasized training, education, short-term
support, and personal responsibility.
Welfare reform has decreased the number of families on
welfare, and increased the number of families who are
employed (Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Legislative Changes in the 21st- Century

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization
Act of 2003 (MMA) was passed to provide outpatient prescription
drug benefits for individuals on Medicare, Part D. This plan replaces
Medicaid as a source of drug coverage.

President George W. Bush initiated an effort to bring faith-based
agencies and organizations into partnership with the federal
government by creating the White House Office of Faith-based and
Community Initiative – Center for Faith-based and Community
Initiatives (CFBCI).
Its purpose is to more effectively use faith-based and community-based
organizations toward providing human services (Woodside & McClam,
2009).

Ch 3
Human Services Today



One way to describe the broadening scope of human
services today is to think about where services are
delivered.
Services continue to be delivered in agencies or
institutional settings; but with growing emphasis on
making services accessible and comprehensive, service
delivery in nontraditional settings has increased.
Rural services, industrial and military settings, and schools
are just a few environments where service delivery is
taking place (Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Institutional & CommunityBased




There is a trend in mental health toward downsizing
institutions & increasing the number of community-based
services.
The goal of community-based mental health care is to
enable clients to interact with their environments in the
least restrictive setting in which they can function.
The focus of treatment has become health & wellness
instead of illness.
Much of human service work is case management; The
human service worker acts as a planner, consultant, &
liaison between the relevant agencies and the client
(Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Community-based



Community-based care in corrections is designed to take
individuals from prisons and local jails and place them in
the community within supervised, planned programs.
School-based services provide an array of integrated
support services in schools that children, youth, and
families require. It melds quality education with support
services.
Other examples of nontraditional settings are malls, funeral
homes, and hospitals. The diversity of settings will likely
increase (Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Rural areas




Since the 1970’s, interest in providing services to rural areas has
increased.
Those who are living in rural poverty and those who are not
disadvantaged may experience similar problems that require the help
of social service agencies and helping professionals, such as mental
illness, family conflicts, and physical limitations.
Many who live in rural areas find a number of difficulties and barriers
in obtaining services.
Shortages in trained health care & helping professionals, the large
geographic distances between clients and providers, the cost of
services, the maintenance of confidentiality, & the coordination of care
are all problematic in rural areas( Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Industry and Military





Today’s employers recognize that workers who are physically and
psychologically well are more productive employees.
Industry has learned to recognize signals that may indicate a need for
assistance such as tardiness, absenteeism, ineffective performance, and
an inability to cooperate and communicate with others.
Industry’s initial interest in human services began when drug and
alcohol abuse among employees showed alarming increase.
The federal government established the Hughes Act in 1970 and
created the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
It was significant in the field of human services because it established
an approach that was different from the treatment for people with
mental illness (Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Industry and Military



Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) derived from this
act.
Meeting basic human needs in the military is different
from accomplishing the same in a civilian setting, partly
because of of the atmosphere of discipline and
commitment to the organization.
The military offers a number of support services including
an employee assistance program, readjustment counseling,
advocacy programs, and family support services
(Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Managed Care




In the past decade, managed care has had a profound effect
on the delivery of human services.
Managed care organizations administer a large percentage
of the group health insurance, mental health care, childcare, corrections, and other social services.
Managed care is a term used to describe a set of tools or
methods designed to manage resources and deliver human
services, especially in the areas of health care and mental
health.
It developed from the public’s demand for accountability
(Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Managed Care

Although the American public was concerned about the
cost of health care in the 1980’s, today there is a growing
concern about managed care and its responsibility for the
deterioration of care.
 Managed care influences the delivery of services to clients
within the social service network with external reviews,
standards of good practice, and a continuum of care.
 The external review is used in several ways to monitor and
communicate to service providers what they can provide
and still receive financial coverage for providing
(Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Managed Care




A guiding principle for managed care review is to approve
the lowest level of care that will meet the client’s need.
Another component of the external review is related to
good quality services.
Quality care may include fair treatment of the client,
smooth access of services, meeting the client’s
expectations, fair response to client grievances, and client
satisfaction.
Continuous review creates a periodic dialogue between the
service providers and the managed care personnel about
the status of client and effectiveness of the services
(Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Managed Care


Because managed care emphasizes appropriate services for
clients and matching services to specific outcomes, it
establishes standards of best practices for meeting specific
client needs.
The continuum of care describes an integrated system of
settings, services, professionals, and levels of care and
services (Woodside & McClam, 2009)
Trends



The growth and change of the elderly population in
America rank among the most important demographic
developments of the 20th century and continues their
importance in the 21st century.
This development will have serious implications for the
next 50 years. This growing group will have increasing
education levels, including more minority elderly, and
include more women than men.
The most vulnerable are older single women with low
incomes, baby boomers with less education, and minority
groups with low economic status (Woodside & McClam,
2009).
Trends



Those aged 85 and older are also at risk. Because of gains
in life expectancy, medical advances, and improved health
and lifestyles, the 85 and older population is the fastest
growing age group in the U.S.
Some of this group will be troubled by poor health,
dependency, and the inability to perform simple tasks.
Addressing issues associated with physical, social, mental,
and emotional decline means providing support to aging
clients and their family Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Trends






There are changing demographics in the U.S. and the world.
Diversity may include age, color, disabilities, national origin, race,
religion, sexual orientation.
Human service professionals must understand the world view of those
being served.
Each person has a world view that affects thoughts, decision making,
lifestyle, and behavior; it also includes attitudes, values, and opinions.
It affects how we see each other and ourselves.
Professionals must be aware of their own world view, become effective
cross-culturally, and be sensitive to the world view of their clients
(Woodside & McClam, 2009).
CH 4
Models of Human Service Delivery




There are three models that represent different orientations
in service delivery: the medical model, the public health
model, and the human service model.
All three models are used to deliver services today, and
depending on the problem, an integration of all three
models may be most effective.
Each model of service delivery has certain philosophical
assumptions that guides its practice.
These assumptions reflect beliefs about causes of the
problem, treatment, and the role of the professional
(Woodside & McClam, 2009).
Medical Model

Based on an orientation developed by the medical
profession; it assumes that mental disorders are diseases or
illnesses that impair an individual’s ability to function. The
disease or illness, in the case of mental disorders, has an
organic basis and responds to medical interventions such
as medication, laboratory studies, and physical therapies.
The patient often receives treatment from a physician in a
hospital or medical clinic.
 This model sees the person needing help as sick or ill, not
healthy.
 Symptoms – diagnosis – treatment – cure (Woodside &
McClam, 2009).
Public Health Model




Resembles the medical model in its diagnosis and treatment process,
but the models differ in recipients of services and methodologies of
treatment.
Whereas the medical model emphasizes individuals, the public health
model focuses on groups in the population who may be identified by
geography (community, country, region, or state) types of problems
(abuse, poverty, specific illness), or specific characteristics such as age
(children, elderly).
This model views mental disorders as the result of malfunctions or
pressures created by the environment or society. The disorder is
evaluated for its impact on both the individual and society.
Preventing the problem through supporting activities such as the use of
films, speakers, school programs, and pamphlets, all aimed at
educating the population about the problem (Woodside & McClam,
2009).
The Human Services Model




Concerned with the interaction between the individual and
the environment, stressing the need for balance between
the two.
It recognizes the other models but focuses on the
interpersonal and environmental conflicts that may result
from the problem (in this case, a mental disorder).
Perhaps the reasons for the problem are a biochemical
imbalance, faulty learning, influences of the social
environment, etc…
Treatment provides services to the individual and
environment through work with the client and relevant
institutions (Woodside & McClam, 2009).