May 6, 2014 E-Newsletter Human Service Workforce Study Hits a Nerve! Your Voice is Still Needed! A Human Service Workforce Study being conducted by researchers from two local schools of social work has apparently hit a nerve In less than two months, nearly 1,500 people have completed the survey, sharing their thoughts and comments on the provision of services and other issues of concern in the human services field “This kind of response is practically unheard of in social service research,” says Mimi Abramovitz of the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College “And, we are getting responses from various segments of the workforce that have not previously had their voices gathered in research,” says Jennifer Zelnick of the Touro College Graduate School of Social Work Zelnick & Abramovitz note that so far survey respondents mirror the diversity of New York, with over 40% indicating that their race/ethnic background is African/American, Black, Hispanic, Asian, or other “The representation of persons of color in this survey is ground-breaking It will make a strong contribution from voices that have been overlooked by human service workforce research in the past,” says Zelnick Moreover, 30% of respondents are immigrants or children of immigrants The survey is also bridging the divide between human services in government and private nonprofit provider organizations “Approximately 20% of our survey respondents are public sector employees,” says Abramovitz “Many issues pit the public, non-profit, and private sectors against one another Here we bring these groups together, which will allow for interesting comparisons of working conditions between sectors, and how different approaches to contracting/financing lead to different issues with service delivery and jobs for the workforce.” Similarly, the survey is reaching both unionized and non-unionized employees The early returns also indicate that about half of all respondents are frontline staff who work directly with clients Roughly 35% are program directors or supervisors and 5% are executive directors Respondents have taken the time to add comments like “…I see from your questions that many others are experiencing what I am,” and “I believe that the people working with clients need to be heard.” These comment indicate that participants appreciate the chance to discuss what is going on in their job, and believe in the importance of gathering the perspectives of those who deliver services Now, however, the researchers are looking for more in the way of survey responses and feedback Their goal is to reach a total of over 3,000 respondents Click here to participate in the survey “We are halfway there! Help us reach our goal of 3,000 participants,” says Zelnick “Your completed survey will document the issues and viewpoints of the human service workforce the backbone of the human service sector Large numbers will ensure that we both capture the varied experiences and fully represent all the service sectors.” “Please take this survey yourself and consider helping us circulate it to others,” says Abramovitz “Given the ongoing budget battles and tight resources, New York City and New York State face critical choices Your voice can help to create a New York that supports and cares for its most vulnerable citizens.” The project is being undertaken in partnership with the Human Services Council, the New York City Chapter of the NASW, United Neighborhood Houses, the Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies, Local 371– Social Service Employees Union and New York Nonprofit Press