Human Services Technology Understanding, Designing, and Implementing Computer and Internet Applications in the Social Services

Featuring new and updated information on computer technologies, including networking and using the Internet as a necessary tool for professionals, Human Services Technology: Understanding, Designing, and Implementing Computer and Internet Applications in the Social Services will help individual human service professionals and agencies understand, design, implement, and manage computer and Internet applications. Combining several relevant fields, this informative guide provides you with the knowledge to effectively collect, store, manipulate, and communicate information to better serve clients and successfully manage human service agencies. Human Services Technology explains basic technological terms and gives you the history of technology uses before you explore other areas of Information Technology (IT). This essential guide will also improve your ability to find and understand recent research and information on important topics. Human Services Technology will expand your technical know-how and help you better serve clients by offering you proven methods and explanations, such as: describing terms--such as hardware, networking, and telecommunications--with easy-to-understand analogies and examples using IT applications to support social policies, improve service coordination among agencies, efficiently manage agencies in order to save time, support workers’decision making with information, and assist clients solving the problems that internal and external issues cause when determining IT needs, such as working with federal reporting requirements understanding and dealing with the 10 most critical IT issues for managementContaining dozens of graphs, tables, and figures, this knowledgeable book will help you with any IT problem you encounter. Symbols by certain subjects in the book indicate that you can find more information and references on that issue through links on the book?s accompanying Web site. Human Services Technology will enable you to thoroughly understand and use IT to help you offer improved services to clients and manage agencies with increased efficiency and effectiveness.

Contents Introduction Assumptions Organization of Chapters Part I: Basic Concepts and History Chapter 1: Personal Views of Human Service Technology Introduction Information Technology As Seen by a Person with a Disability Information Technology As Seen by an Executive Secretary in a Mental Health Association Information Technology As Seen by a Clinician in a Mental Health Center Information Technology As Seen by the Director of Information Management at a Local State Department Office Information Technology As Seen by the Executive Director of a Multiprogram Home Health Agency Information Technology As Seen by a United Way Committee Member Conclusion Review and Discussion Questions Chapter 2: Basic Concepts and Historical Context Introduction Basic Concepts of Human Services IT Introduction to IT Historical Perspective Societal Impact Information Use in Human Service Delivery Conclusion Review and Discussion Questions Part II: Applications of Information Technology in the Human Services Chapter 3: Professional Generic Applications and Assistive Technology Introduction Generic applications Research Applications Education Applications Assistive Technology Conclusion Review and Discussion Questions Chapter 4: Management Applications Introduction Historical Perspective Data Processing Applications Information Systems Knowledge-Based Applications Decision Support Applications Performance Support Applications Conclusion Review and Discussion Questions Chapter 5: Human Services IT Applications Introduction Policymaking Level Community Level Agency Management Level Direct Service Level: Helping Practitioners Manage and Report Work Director Service Level: Supporting Practitioner-Client Interactions Client Level Conclusion Review and Discussion Questions Part III: Designing, Developing, and Implementing Information Technology Applications Chapter 6: Designing, Developing, and Implementing Information Technology Systems Introduction Basic Concepts The Application Design and Development Process Tools, Techniques, and Skills Development Issues Conclusion Review and Discussion Questions Chapter 7: Applying Systems and Decision-Making Theories Introduction Systems Decision Making Implications of Systems and Decision-Making Theories Conclusion Review and Discussion Questions Chapter 8: Assessing Human Service Information Needs Introduction Organizational Influences on Human Service Information Needs Influences of Human Service Processes and Decision Making on Information Needs Implications of Information Needs on IT Design and Development Conclusion Review and Discussion Questions Chapter 9: Hardware and Software Influences on IT Development Introduction Hardware Basics Hardware Functions Hardware Components Software Basics Implications for System Design and Development Conclusion Review and Discussion Questions Chapter 10: Database Management Influences on IT Development Introduction Database Management Basics Managing Data Data Management Software Designing a DBMS Implications of Data Management for IT Design and Development Conclusion Review and Discussion Questions Chapter 11: Networking, Telecommunications, and Internet Influences on IT Development Introduction Networking Basics Types of Networks Network Activities Cyberspace Implications of Networking for IT Development Conclusion Review and Discussion Questions Part IV: Maintaining Information Technology Chapter 12: Managing, Supporting, and Evaluating IT Applications Introduction Basic Concepts Information Management Issues Reviewing IT Performance Guidelines for Success Conclusion Review and Discussion Questions Chapter 13: Trends, Issues, and the Future Introduction Society Policy Formulation and Analysis Administrative Practice Community Practice Individual, Family, and Group Practitioners Educators Researchers and IT Developers Clients Conclusion Review and Discussion Questions Glossary References Author Index Subject Index