The Revitalization of Community Practice: Characteristics, Competencies, and Curricula for Community-Based Services

Abstract

A recent move toward community-based services on the part of direct service agencies presents a major opportunity for the revitalization of community practice. Driven by funding from major philanthropic foundations and also by recent changes in federal entitlement legislation, these efforts at system reform are designed to make services for vulnerable populations more effective, accessible, integrated, and comprehensive in the context of the local community. Although this service reorganization requires the type of methods typically found in community practice, direct service workers employed in these agencies usually have not been trained in community work. To begin to address this concern, this article uses a computerized word search to review the community practice and community organization literature. A working definition of “community-based” practice is developed. The extensive literature review yields six characteristics of community-based service delivery: (1) neighborhood-based and family-focused; (2) strengths- and empowerment-oriented; (3) cultural sensitivity and multi-cultural competency; (4) comprehensive services; (5) access to integrated services and supports; and (6) teamwork and leadership skills. The article reviews what scholars have recommended in each of these areas as a way of understanding the characteristics of community-based service delivery and the skills needed by direct practitioners working in community-based programs. The article summarizes innovative curricula and specific courses which demonstrate ways of teaching community skills to direct practice workers. Future work for community practice scholars and educators is recommended.