African Delegation Visits HSI
Excerpt from THE VOICE, Volume 3, 29, August 1, 2007
A 16-member delegation of professional social workers from Durban, , South Africa and Casablanca, Morocco visited Habilitative Systems, Inc., 415 South Kilpatrick Avenue, on Friday, July 27, to study the agency's social and human t service programs. It is part of a 10-day I tour studying the topic: The Impact of Diversity in Social Work. This is part of an ongoing effort by the National Association of Social Workers, International Activities Network, to share knowledge and practices, and increase I understanding of global issues in the field.
The delegates from Africa' are social work leaders in their communities with first-hand knowledge of service needs in their countries. They shared best practices and experiences with HSI social workers facing similar situations in Chicago. Among the issues discussed were: care for the homeless, addictions treatment, education and employment of the developmentally disabled, housing and programs for senior citizens, reintegration socialization of ex-offenders, and psychological aspects of case management.
The group was hosted by CCA Academy, an alternative high school, and HSI, a comprehensive social service agency.
The visit to HSI gave delegates a glimpse into American social service programming by observing the range of services offered by the agency.
President/CEO Donald Dew continually referred to disciplinary best practices, drawing on generally accepted methodologies across all cultures and nationalities. The delegates often asked about government versus private funding for programs such as the sheltered workshop and care for the homeless.
The National Association of Social Workers has sponsored exchanges with Europe and Africa for more than ten years. There have been six exchanges between Durban, South Africa and Chicago. This is the first year delegates from Casablanca, Morocco have been included. Previous exchanges have resulted in changes in policy and practice in both Africa and Chicago.
