Alvin A. Weaver, Jr. MS, HS-BCP
Abstract
Today’s human services students will face many challenges as they begin a career in human service practice in the future. The providers of the future will need to adapt and overcome obstacles such as reduced staffing, increased regulations, decreasing budgets, and increased numbers of clients to serve with more severe situations or disorders. It is imperative for leaders in the human services field to be action researchers who can measure, monitor, and adjust their practices in action in order to meet the demands of the job (Maulding & Styron, 2005). This can be achieved by integrating the concepts of transformative leadership, specifically action research, into the curriculum along with service learning (Pedra & Olson, 2000). This type of education will best prepare human services students for serving environments where the only thing constant is change.
Future Challenges for Human Service Providers Today’s human services students will face many challenges as they begin a career in human service practice in the future. The providers of the future will need to adapt and overcome obstacles such as reduced staffing, increased regulations, decreasing budgets, and increased numbers of clients to serve with more severe situations or disorders. It is imperative for leaders in the human services field to be action researchers who can measure, monitor, and adjust their practices in action in order to meet the demands of the job (Maulding & Styron, 2005). This can be achieved by integrating the concepts of transformative leadership, specifically action research, into the curriculum along with service learning (Pedra & Olson, 2000). This type of education will best prepare human services students for serving environments where the only thing constant is change. An article
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