Ecological Intervention at the Macro Level

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter describes efforts to address ecological adversity at the macro level. It is concerned with problems of system-level innovation and reform, program-level innovation, and broad issues of social policy. Intervention at this level is generally carried out by organizations and advocacy groups rather than individual workers or teams. Using the child welfare system as an example, the chapter reviews important contradictions in its mission and practices and discusses a variety of proposals for its reform. This discussion focuses on the problem of reactive or targeted systems and examines ways in which underlying drivers of involvement with child welfare could be addressed through universal services and universal efforts to support low-income families. The chapter concludes with a series of examples of system change and program innovations that have been undertaken by human service organizations and advocacy groups. This discussion sorts such efforts into program development, legal action, convening and collaboration initiatives, budgetary shifts, legislative/regulatory action, and training and technical assistance.