Empowerment as a Dynamically Developing Concept for Practice: Lessons Learned from Organizational Ethnography

Authors: Bartle E.E.; Couchonnal G.; Canda E.R.; Staker M.D.

Source: Social Work, Volume 47, Number 1, 1 January 2002 , pp. 32-43(12)

Publisher: National Association of Social Workers

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Social Work is the premiere journal of the social work profession. Widely read by practitioners, faculty, and students, it is the official journal of NASW and is provided to all members as a membership benefit. Social Work is dedicated to improving practice and advancing knowledge in social work and social welfare. Its articles yield new insights into established practices, evaluate new techniques and research, examine current social problems, and bring serious critical analysis to bear on problems in the profession. Major emphasis is placed on social policy and the solutions to serious human problems.
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Abstract:

This article describes the process of developing an empowerment approach in a comprehensive child development program that defined its mission as empowerment of families living in poverty. This description is derived from a seven-year organizational ethnographic research project that included data from participant observation, agency documents, individual interviews of staff and family participants, and focus group interviews with staff. Findings concerning empowerment are presented in two areas: (1) resolution of contrasts and dichotomies related to the nature of services, understanding staff roles, and working with the federal government; and (2) lessons learned for program effectiveness. Implications for empowerment-oriented social work practice and policy are offered.

Keywords: CHILD DEVELOPMENT; EMPOWERMENT; ETHNOGRAPHY; ORGANIZATIONS; POVERTY

Document Type: Research article