Chapter Authors

A total of 66 distinguished authors contributed to this second edition, with some involved in more than one chapter. With regard to multinational experience, 8 authors were born or now live in nations other than the United States. These authors all have experience working in multiple nations. A number of authors from the United States have considerable experience in multinational practice, teaching, and research; at least 20 have been involved in international work, and 1 works full-time for an international nongovernmental organization.

While a number of the authors are university faculty, these are not ivory tower people. Almost all are involved in work with communities, groups, and organizations, or advocacy and policy practice. Some are guiding comprehensive neighborhood initiatives. Several have developed research and study centers that tie them to communities in multiple [Page xiii]nations. One has developed a women's community organizing center that supports organizers in communication and collaborative work. Several have been called on to conduct research on asset development in multiple nations; a number have led study-abroad programs; several have taught in countries other than their own; some have been involved in multinational research for international organizations; and many have been involved in volunteer consultation for organizations in multiple countries. They bring extensive knowledge and practice experience to their writing.

To heighten the focus on the realities of practice, this second edition has added more practitioner authors who bring current, on-the-ground experience to vital areas of community practice. Sixteen second-edition authors are experienced practitioners/leaders: Six of these are CEOs or directors of nonprofit organizations they founded and built, and others lead nonprofit development programs. Still others work as community organizers, advocates, and program and organizational consultants, and one is assistant to the president of a national U.S. labor union. At least 14 contributing authors are now or have previously been heads of university research, policy, or practice-research centers, and another 10 have led complex university/community partnership development and research programs.

In addition to international representation, some of the diversity of the U.S. population is represented, including American Indians, Latino/as, African Americans, and Indian Americans, as well as others from the myriad ethnicity and nationality groups that make up the U.S. population. While a full survey has not been taken, the table below reflects some of the nations in which contributors to the book have worked or volunteered.

This second edition has provided these contributors the opportunity to compose a comprehensive summary of their favorite subjects and practice areas. In combination, the handbook builds strongly on the earlier literature on community practice and on theory and perspectives from multiple nations. Michael Reisch, Mary L. Ohmer, and I have worked to ensure that the second edition builds on the current literature and presents both the breadth and depth of community practice.

As a result, this volume provides unprecedented opportunities (1) to examine the range of practice methods employed currently in community interventions; (2) to consider the political, economic, social, and global shifts affecting and changing the context of practice across the world; (3) to explore theory and practice theorizing; and (4) to analyze ways in which knowledge, methodology, and research can provide direction and inform leaders, facilitators, community members, and practitioners about ways to strengthen communities and service systems as well as to organize, plan, and act for needed change. Authors have critically examined knowledge, theory, practice, and methods, and have worked to define and interpret emerging issues that [Page xiv]future students, practitioners, scholars, and researchers will need to confront in coming years.

Organization of the Book

The handbook is organized into six sections. Part I provides analysis of the contexts of community practice and presents central issues that impact the practitioner's work. Four new chapters introduce this edition. Chapter 1 examines global contexts and a range of issues facing community practitioners across the world. Chapter 2 provides an overview of the complex history of community development, organizing, and planning in the United States. Chapter 3 analyzes challenges in the global economy for both the Global South and North, and Chapter 4 probes central issues and principles of social justice, human rights, and values that can assist community practitioners in determining courses of action. Two new theory chapters conclude this section: Chapter 5 analyzes theories of community and provides essential knowledge, and Chapter 6 explores types of theories that relate to and support practice, as well as central practice theories of development, organizing, planning, and social change. Beginning with relevant explanatory theory, the process of theorizing, and the importance of applying critical perspectives, this chapter moves to examination of theory focused on scales of intervention—from interpersonal to inter-organizational—through which practitioners engage members of communities and organizations. The chapter concludes with central practice theory for major methods of community practice and the process of moving theories into action.

Part II begins with the evolution of practice models in Chapter 7 and specifically examines eight current models used in many parts of the world and adapted for local context and issues. These models relate to organizing; community, social, economic, and sustainable development; program and service development; social planning, coalition building, political and social action, and policy practice; and movements for progressive change. Analysis of each model is provided, along with discussion of outcomes, change strategies, constituencies, and scope of concern as well as identification of major roles needed for effective practice in each model. Chapter 8 presents a vital history of development theory and development work infused with knowledge and critical perspective from the Global South. It provides historical analysis of the outcomes of application of particular theories and carefully analyzes whose interests were met by dominant theories, some of which emerged in conjunction with colonial exploitation or followed colonialist ideologies. Chapter 9 presents central issues of practice for sustainable development to promote progressive social and economic change and environmental protection of the earth for future generations. Chapters 10 and 11 examine contemporary community organizing practice—one compares and contrasts conflict and consensus approaches, and the other provides examples and issues related to organizing in communities of color. Chapters 12 and 13 examine social planning, the first presenting theory and case examples of planning with communities and the second illustrating principles and examples of larger-scale planning in communities and cities, as well as particular issues related to planning for service development. Both these chapters take a global perspective, providing examples from both the Global North and South.

The next five chapters (Chapters 14–18) examine practice to promote progressive social change. Chapter 14 addresses essential participatory methods that are adaptable to many practice settings and ground practice with those who have been marginalized. Chapter 15 focuses on strategies for social, political, and legislative action. Chapter 16 skillfully differentiates radical community organizing from other types and illustrates the need for practitioners to employ strategies and tactics that address root causes of major social problems. The increasing importance and methods of practice in coalitions, collaborations, and partnerships are analyzed in Chapter 17, along with illustrations of these central interorganizational practice approaches. Chapter 18 analyzes eight models for engaging in policy practice—a central means of initiating and solidifying needed social change.

Part III engages readers in diverse issues, areas, and fields of community practice. The first two chapters in this section examine issues of diversity and multicultural communication in different ways: Chapter 19 explores what needs to happen for organizations to develop cultural competence for effective work with diverse groups and communities of color, while Chapter 20 analyzes issues related to multicultural communication and collaboration and documents the principles, skills, and practice strategies needed for effective cross-cultural communication. The fields of practice discussed present issues and challenges in rural community practice (Chapter 21), in reviving social work's commitment to workplace justice (Chapter 22), and in the skills needed now for effective community economic development (Chapter 23). Chapter 24 examines social problems in major U.S. cities, exacerbated as funding for comprehensive community initiatives has been scaled back, and what approaches are needed to rekindle this type of broad-ranging, collaborative initiative and rebuild supportive communities in low-income areas. Chapter 25 demonstrates the development of a model children's service system and what is required to promote needed services in major urban areas. Chapters 26 and 27 concentrate on community practice focused on youth. Chapter 26 examines the promise of youth-led organizing and the mutual benefits to communities of “growing their own leaders,” while Chapter 27 focuses on the needs for and positive outcomes of adopting methods of restorative justice for youth and their communities.

Part IV delves deeper into global issues and practice approaches, examining in Chapter 28 the power of social development indicators in identifying and understanding problems and impediments to positive and healthy human development. Chapter 29 confronts pivotal issues for humankind's survival—the scourge of global poverty, the need for effective welfare regimes, the consequences of absolute poverty, and promising strategies to create assets and promote sustainable livelihoods. Chapter 30 provides discussion of the major areas of international community practice and leads us through consideration of serious issues, illustrating the interconnections of problems and populations across the world and the need to act to protect the most vulnerable. The section concludes with presentations of women's leadership in community development, planning, organizing, and social change. Chapter 31 treats major issues related to the current lack of equal rights for women and girls in many areas of the world and demonstrates that even in the face of familial and communal discrimination, women rise as powerful leaders who invest in the holistic development of their communities and families. This chapter examines women's leadership and empowerment work on four continents and is written by a woman originally from Colombia, a woman from Mumbai, a woman originally from Zambia, and two women from the United States—all invested in opportunities and advancement for women as a major step in the advancement of humanity and more egalitarian societies.

Part V examines issues related to community building and connections among community-based organizations, and addresses major challenges in service coordination, resource development, and the design of effective programs. Chapter 32 explores the role human service nonprofits can play in community-building efforts. From a global perspective, Chapter 33 demonstrates effective approaches to building local capacity for rural development in nations across the world. World Neighbors, an international nongovernmental organization, is committed to sustainability; when the organization agrees to work with a community or a cluster of villages, it commits to stay and work directly with community members for 10 years to ensure that the population can maintain positive changes—improved crops and livelihoods, better health, and gender equity. The next two chapters examine serious service issues and the need for family- and client-driven service systems. Chapter 34 investigates the growth of and the distance to go in constructing culturally competent youth- and family-driven services and well-coordinated systems of care, and Chapter 35[Page xvi]examines the history and current challenges of creating a holistic and healing system of care for adults with mental health and other social problems. As has been echoed over decades, the way a nation treats its most vulnerable teaches us volumes about the ethic of care and our level of humanity. Chapter 36 views these issues from a planning perspective, illustrating differing ways to design programs that effectively address community needs and involve community members in that planning. Chapter 37 provides innovative ways of approaching resource development to fund programs and organizations, and seeks to establish a broader framework focused on a stakeholder model.

Part VI addresses the criticality of research and evaluation, along with the promise of newer technologies to strengthen the capacities of organizations and community associations to build new knowledge and assist productive practice. Chapter 38 provides a strong analysis of community-based research, with special attention to community practice. Chapter 39 guides readers through considerations of optimal use and application of technology in the digital age, and Chapter 40 demonstrates how mapping using geographic information systems can be used to support positive, community-led change. In combination, these 40 chapters seek to ground readers in community practice, to promote understanding of our increasing global connectedness—even in the face of major social and economic problems—and to provide perspective on the essential needs for equal human rights, multicultural understanding, and social justice.

References

Acknowledgments

Initially, I extend great appreciation and respect to my colleagues Michael Reisch and Mary L. Ohmer, who have been associate editors extraordinaire. Their knowledge of the field and intellectual acumen helped make the chapters both engaging and challenging. Special thanks to Dee Gamble, Clinical Professor Emerita of the University of North Carolina, for our long writing and research partnership, for our friendship, and for what I have learned from her about principles and values for community practice, which she embodies. Again, many thanks to our remarkable editor, Kassie Graves. I offer great appreciation and deep thanks to all the authors who contributed to making this edition even stronger than the first. Together, we have provided a much expanded global perspective for the volume and incorporated cutting-edge theory, research, and practice knowledge that is ready to be tested in many practice environments.

My deep thanks to the wonderful women who have worked with me as research assistants during their MSW studies: Emily MacGuire, who again skillfully reviewed and edited chapters; Colleen Jeske, who has assisted with logistics and background research and contributed the Kibera case study; Alison Doernberg, who took on editing from Montana, insightfully critiqued and edited chapters, and coauthored one chapter; Cassandra Chugh, who has provided back-up and research for the case study of Rainier Beach in Seattle; and Hannah Popish, who helped initiate the project, connecting with authors and setting up logistics and procedures that provided a smooth working process. Special appreciation goes to Robert Pleasants and Susan White for clear-eyed initial copyediting, and to Jong-Gyu Paik and Andrea Meier who have provided technical, research, and moral support. Finally, I express great appreciation to my partner, Charles Weil, who has cheerfully endured this long process and remained stalwart, supportive, and loving.