What is Human Service

In Human Service three elements within a human services organization are constant. They consist of factors that help human service agencies deal with individuals who seek assistance in most communities throughout the United States.

These characteristics help substantiate the position of the organization in an ethical way. The statements also indentify those eligible for the provided service programs. The message being sent to the community is there will be assistance programs provided to low income families, there is concern and compassion displayed the organization and the agency will always treat all individuals with dignity, respect, quality, and privacy within their services toward those requiring assistance.

The values statement is found within key words in the text of the mission statement. Some of those such as dignity and pride suggest that the necessary compassion and respect for others is within the organizational operations. The leadership within takes pride in the services the organization provides and respect all individuals in or outside of the organization. The values statement in example is illustrated by Susan M. Heathfield, Build a Strategic Framework: Mission Statement, Vision, Values...which is an article discussing mission statement.

She writes, "Value statements are grounded in values and define how people want to behave with each other in the organization. They are statements about how the organization will value customers, suppliers, and the internal community. Value statements describe actions which are the living enactment of the fundamental values held by most individuals within the organization."
(Heathfield, 2007)

The wording of a mission and values statement in an effort to create a positive atmosphere in the workplace that will spread abroad to those in the community being dealt with as well. Values are the traits within individuals that define who we are and we view our surroundings. There is a certain value placed on most aspects within our lives that direct our moods, emotions and even behavior.

An organizations manager's intention is to successfully perform the task at hand with the cooperation of the subordinates he or she manages. An organizational culture is based on the values, beliefs and priorities of the organization and wants to reflect those emotions in statements that describe the services being provided and who is providing them. Messages such as, "You can trust us," are sent through mission and value statements making all concerned individuals affiliated with the organization aware of the stance being taken.Another tool that inspires tangible outcomes from employees is a strong code of ethics. If an organization is operated with a strong code of ethics this attitude will be projected through the employees creating tangible outcomes within the community they serve.

The National Association of Social Workers describes the code of ethics as, "Professional ethics are at the core of social work. The profession has an obligation to articulate its basic values, ethical principles, and ethical standards. The NASW Code of Ethics sets forth these values, principles, and standards to guide social workers' conduct. The Code is relevant to all social workers and social work students, regardless of their professional functions, the settings in which they work, or the populations they serve." (NASW, 2008)

A code of ethics is a series of ethical statements that are descriptive of the values, mission, beliefs, morals or the organization. The code of ethics also expresses a need to adherence by staff toward issues involving privacy or prejudice, for example. These types of behaviors among staff will create tangible outcomes within the community they serve. Intangible outcomes such as bias toward a client are unethical creating undesirable results. Tangible outcomes are prioritized by an ethically sound code.

The relationship between the code of ethics and the organizations mission is in key words within the statements being made in the mission and values of the organization. The statements in a code of ethics reflect the mission of the organization by prescribing acceptable behaviors. An adherence to the code of ethics means tangible outcomes and delivery of service to the needy.

There are many elements surrounding the history and evolution of Human Service in the United States and around the world. As Michelle E. Martin points out in an article titled History and Evolution of the Human Services Profession, "...the human services profession in its current context has historic roots dating back to at least the late 1800s." (Martin, 2007)

As our time period of 2009 draws closer and closer to 2010 we realized that 210 years in approximation is still a very long time for anything to remain in existence. Human Service is an art of passion for lack of a better word. It is a mindset within an organization of individuals working together toward one common goal, helping those in need within the communities around them.

Through church, state, political arenas, volunteerism, contributions and contributors Human Service is a reality that helps thousands of individuals home and abroad year after year. The intervention programs of Human Service provide counseling, cash assistance, educational tools such as free school lunches and study materials, informational data, drug abuse invention and programs, unemployment benefits, and a host of other communally vital services.

REFERENCES

Michelle E. Martin (2007), History and Evolution of the Human Services Profession
copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon, Inc. A Pearson Education Company
Retrieved November 15, 2009, from https://ecampus.phoenix.com

Family and Social Service Website, Indiana Bureau of Aging and In-Home Services Community Integration Plan
Retrieved November 15, 2009, from http://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/2872.htm

Susan M. Heathfield, Build a Strategic Framework: Mission Statement, Vision, Values...
Retrieved November 15, 2009 from http://humanresources.about.com/cs/strategicplanning1/a/strategicplan_3.htm

National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Purpose of the NASW code of ethics.
Retrieved November 15, 2009 from http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp