Socialno delo, Vol. 38 (1999), Part 3
ARTICLES
Evaluation of Preventive Programs of Centres for Social Work in Slovenia 1995-1998 - 135, (Abstract)
Self-advocacy Groups for Persons with a Disorder in Mental Development in Dolfka Boštjančič Centre, Draga - 175, (Abstract)
ESSAY
Everyday Life of Persons with the Severest Forms of Physical Disability and their Integration into Society - 183, (Abstract)
ABSTRACTS
Abstracts
Editor's Notes
A group of authors led by Blaž Mesec has conducted an interesting and useful research: they have studied the benefit of preventive programmes - mainly innovations in this country - carried out by social work centres in the second half of the 90's. The results are stimulating.
Srečo Dragoš's contribution offers a reflection - much needed and too infrequent, we may say - on the vicissitudes of the concept and the practice of civil society; in the 80's, both were essential (predominantly in the form of new social movements) for the subsequent independence of Slovenia and the constitution of the new state.
Matej Pelicon writes about one of vulnerable groups, that of persons who are categorised under mental disorder (or disability). The paper is an attempt at the conceptual-isation of their self-advocacy groups, initiated at the author's institution. One could remark that one of their aims should be to question the very categorisation...
Another vulnerable group, persons with severe physical disability, is the subject of Boža Napret's paper, based on her experience. The paper is in fact an excellent example of self-advocacy and takes into account both the need for a change in people's attitudes towards the group and, to no lesser degree, the need for changes in social policy.
Blaž Mesec, Milko Poštrak, Nino Rode, Bojan Kern, Nika Cigoj Kuzma
Evaluation of Preventive Programs of Centres for Social Work in Slovenia 1995-1998
A research-supported evaluation of preventive programs of five Slovene centres of social work has been accomplished. The model of complex three-dimensional 'evaluation grid', comprising evaluation of input, process, goal attainment and unintentional consequences on the individual, group and organisational levels with workers and users, was applied. Based predominantly on the opinions of workers and users and process-analysis, the evaluation of 19 dimensions of the projects (characteristics of input, targeting, quality of service, effectiveness, efficiency and organisational functioning) found that the results on most dimensions are positive and that the projects as viable social structures contribute with their very existence to the integration of endangered populations. The continuation of public support for the projects and methodological improvement of self-evaluations are suggested.
Keywords: evaluation, prevention, qualitative research.
Dr. Blaž Mesec is an associate professor of methodology at University of Ljubljana School of Social Work. His co-authors are from the ULSSW as well: dr. Milko Poštrak is senior lecturer of social cultural work; Nino Rode is assistant lecturer of methodology; Bojan Kern is junior assistant lecturer of social work methods; Nika Cigoj Kuzma is a psychologist and librarian.
Srečo Dragoš
Civil Society and the State
The paper points to the tenth anniversary of the civil society movements that made possible the sovereign state of Slovenia. Three aspects of civil society are under consideration: the social, the historical and the conceptual one. The author finds the first aspect the least troublesome, as it is increasingly paid attention to in professional circles (mainly in social care and social work, but lately also in sociological theory). The second - historical or event-centred - view is still valued in the public, though it seems to have lost some significance on the account of subsequent turning points in the constitution of the state. But the third is truly problematic, chiefly for three reasons: because the dialogue on civil society and interest for it has diminished since independence, because its reflection is limited to the narrow specialist circles, and because there has never been much consent about what is 'civil society' in the first place; today, the dissent is only profounder than a decade ago. The third, central part of the treatise presents the developmental logic of the concepts that are important for the definition of the civil sphere and its functions with regard to the state, taking the two as relational and not oppositional terms.
Keywords: concepts of civility, political pluralism, democracy, common will, sovereignty.
Dr. Srečo Dragoš is a senior lecturer of sociology at University of Ljubljana School of Social Work.
Matej Pelicon
Self-advocacy Groups for Persons with a Disorder in Mental Development in Dolfka Boštjančič Centre, Draga
Persons with mild, medium and severe disorder in mental development are not involved to a sufficient degree in decision-making processes regarding basic issues in their lives. An opportunity to change this is provided by self-advocacy groups as introduced in the Dolfka Boštjančič Centre. The aim of the groups is to train the people with a disorder in mental development to be their own advocates. For a person to be in such capacity, he or she must have a feeling of his or her worth, he or she must be able to make choices and decisions and to communicate with others. This means positive thinking about oneself, acknowledgement of one's own capabilities, working upon one's weaknesses, developing warm relationships and mutual understanding. Communication is recognised as a two-way process. What is needed is a training in communication skills and mutual help.
Keywords: children, adolescents, adults, disorder in mental development, self-advocacy, institution.
Social worker Matej Pelicon is employed at Dolfka Boštjančič Centre, Draga.
Boža Napret
Everyday Life of Persons with the Severest Forms of Physical Disability and their Integration into Society
The present time can be described as the time of great changes taking place on all levels of human life and in all areas of social action. Its determinants, or in other words, everyday life of persons with the severest forms of physical disability in Slovenia is presented through a variety of scientific and professional points of view that are focused on the complexities of social events.
Keywords: everyday life, normalisation, institutional care, family care, integration.
Sociologist Boža Napret, MA, is chair person of the Convention of Invalids - the Forum of Slovenia.