An Advocacy/Empowerment Model of Organizing: Developing University-Agency Partnerships

Abstract

This article examines an advocacy/empowerment model of organizing as a framework for developing university/community agency partnerships in the delivery of social work field instruction in new sites. Application of the model's four main components—outreach, partnership, direction planning, and change—is demonstrated in three case studies involving the social work field education office and diverse frontline community agencies. The partnerships developed through this model enable the university and community agencies to share in creating and implementing field opportunities that prepare students for emerging social work practice arenas.