Horizon Human Services - Essay Example

Horizon Human Services Horizon Human Services is a non-profit organization working in the area of behavioral health and they offer a wide “array of outpatient and residential services” in three counties comprising Pinal, Gila and Yuma as well as “habilitation services” in four other counties such as Santa Cruz, Maricopa, La Paz and Cochise (Welcome to Horizon Human Services, 2013). This organization has the reputation of providing high quality services for over 38 years in the area of behavioral health services, including “counseling for adult and children” (2013). Funding of the System: Funding of Horizon Human Services derives mainly from governmental organizations such as the “ADHS, DES-CSA” to provide the services for victims of problems like “domestic violence” (Domestic Violence Services, 2013). So far it relates to funds for services in the areas of housing, they receive assistance from “US Department of Housing, Urban Development and the Arizona Department of Housing” (Community Housing, 2013). In addition, they also accept donations from the public as well as corporate entities. How Does the System Serve and the Services they Offer: Any person intending to avail the services of Horizon Human Services can call their office for an appointment with a screening specialist and once screening is completed, he or she will be sent to the intake specialist who will assess the individual and provide initial counseling to “help address the reason” for which services have been sought (Getting Started, 2013). People who seek services will have to produce their ID document, proof of income, social security, and any documents relating the problem they wish to address with the help of the organization. Major services, as per information on the “services” section of their site, include: Adult Residential Services: It is a program for mentally ill or substance abusing adults, by providing “clean and tidy” therapeutic “environment,” as envisaged in quality social work practices, which is free of substances (Malley & Fernandez, 2010, p.561). Community Based Services: This is also a program targeted to mentally ill, within the community to help them cope with the problem. The services include counseling and monitoring of medication apart from a variety of other services that the patient requires from time to time. Domestic Violence Services: This program extends assistance to victims of domestic violence and includes services such as counseling, transportation, case management, referral services, advocacy etc. Habitation Services: It envisages habitation of individuals with developmental disabilities in collaboration with other agencies and includes a variety of services. Horizon House: Services under this program comprise vocational services, extending support for housing, counseling, and integrating the affected into the community. Psychiatric Services: Horizon provides a wide range of psychiatric services including diagnosis, evaluation, monitoring as well as planning treatment etc. In addition, they also provide outpatient and residential substance abuse treatment. DUI Services: Horizon also provides DUI clinical and educational services and facilitates DUI treatment after assessment and evaluation. Community Housing: This consists of the provision of housing for those in dire need and certified as homeless “under HUD guidelines” or substance abusers apart from helping people in securing housing assistance and “identifying available units” (Community Housing, 2013). In addition to the above services, Horizon also provides a wide range of other assistance, the details of which are available on their site under the link ‘services’ which is accessible to all members of the public. Accessibility to Services/Eligibility Requirements: The organization has different criteria for determining the eligibility conditions for the services being rendered by them. As befitting the objectives of social work principles, Horizon tailors their intervention strategies to fit to the context of the receiver and thus determines the type of service that will be most “effective in meeting specific challenges” (Service Delivery in Fragile Situations, 2008, p.39). In addition, ensure that the benefits go to the deserving persons only, they mandate the production of all relevant documents before any assistance is extended to any individual. Besides, they also follow the stewards’ theory, which places value on “collective rather than individual goals” and makes decisions based on maximum benefits to the community (Slyke, 2006, p.165). Therefore, they prescribe the following criteria in conformity to relevant principles of social work, for their various programs as under, with the general condition of being residents of the community and certified as eligible by their professionals: Adult Residential Services: People diagnosed with serious mental conditions as well as those who have addiction problems. Domestic Violence Services: The person who seeks this service has to be a victim of domestic violence. Habitation Services: Individuals with some or other developmental disabilities that have preempted from seeking habitation in the normal course. Horizon House: Participants availing any services under Horizon Human Services are eligible for coverage under this. Psychiatric Services: Individuals who are ailing from any psychiatric problems will be considered for this program. DUI Services: Individuals who have alcohol problems and whose license has been revoked at least once. Community Housing: The applicant must be certified homeless “under HUD guidelines” or substance abusers (Community Housing, 2013). Evaluation of Services: The organization has a transparent evaluation system of their services and any complaint by participants will be enquired into by the Chief Executive Officer. Besides, in cases where a death is involved, it will be referred to Director of Cenpatico Behavioral Health of AZ for further enquiry (Participant Grievance Procedures, 2013). Identification of One Area of Improvement: From their site it the other means by which they evaluate the system is not evident, though it appears that governmental agencies do audit the operations of nonprofit organizations as a routine exercise. However, it will be in the interest of the community to introduce a system by which the feedback of the participants is integrated into the performance appraisal system of Horizon’s employees. This will ensure that each employee perform their duties with efficiency and serve the interest of the participants. On the other hand, from the evidence in terms of their system of operation, as revealed from their site suggests that they operate in a transparent manner and are providing excellent services to the community by adhering to the relevant principles of social work. References Community Housing. (2013). Home Page of Horizon Human Services. Retrieved November 7, 2013, from Domestic Violence Services. (2013). Home Page of Horizon Human Services. Retrieved November 7, 2013, from Getting Started. (2013). Home Page of Horizon Human Services. Retrieved November 7, 2013, from Malley, J., & Fernandez, J. L. (2010). Measuring Quality in Social Care Services: Theory and Practice. Annals of Public and Cooperative Economies, Vol.81 (4): pp.559-582. Retrieved November 7, 2013, from Service Delivery in Fragile Situations: Key Concepts, Findings and Lessons. (2008). Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Retrieved November 7, 2013, from Slyke, D. M. (2006). Agents or Stewards: Using Theory to Understand the Government-Nonprofit Social Service Contracting Relationship. Welcome to Horizon Human Services. (2013). Homepage of Horizon Human Services. Retrieved November 7, 2013, from Read More