Collaborative Helping (PDF)

An interdisciplinary framework for sustainable helping through
cross-system collaboration

This hands-on resource provides clear, practical guidance for
supportive service professionals working in a home-based
environment. Drawing on best practices from a range of disciplines,
this book provides a clear map for dealing with the complex and
often ambiguous situations that arise with individuals and
families, with applications extending to supervision and
organizational change. Readers gain the advice and insight of
real-world frontline helpers, as well as those who receive care,
highlighting new ways to approach the work and re-think previous
conceptualizations of problems and strengths. Helping efforts are
organized around a shared, forward-thinking vision that anticipates
obstacles and draws on existing and potential supports in
developing a collaborative plan of action.

The book begins with stories that illustrate core concepts and
context, presenting a number of useful ideas that can reorient
behavioral services while outlining a principle-based practice
framework to help workers stay grounded and focused. Problems are
addressed, and strength-based work is expanded into richer
conversations about strengths in the context of intention and
purpose, value and belief, hopes, dreams, and commitments. Topics
include:

* Contextual guidance with helping maps

* Engaging people and re-thinking problems and strengths

* Dilemmas in home and community services

* Sustainable helping through collaboration and support

A strong collaboration between natural networks, communities,
and trained professionals across systems creates an effective
helping endeavor. Ensuring sustainability may involve promoting
systems change, and building institutional supports for specific
supervisory, management, and organizational practices.
Collaborative Helping provides a framework for organizing
these efforts into a coherent whole, serving the needs of
supportive services workers across sectors.