Human Services Computing

Here is a book to assist human service professionals and students in becoming intelligent users of computing technologies. In focusing on the entire spectrum of computing and its current and potential application to the human services, this enlightening book examines computing as a societal phenomenon and as a tool for improving the decisions made in the process of helping clients. Human service professionals can move successfully into the information age with this important volume. In a clear and understandable manner, Human Services Computing synthesizes available information from the fields of computer science, systems analysis, information management, and communication within the context of the human service environment. Author Dick Schoech illustrates the theories and the particular tools that make it possible for human services workers to follow the steps within their standard decision-making process--investigating, recording information, formulating alternatives, implementing preferred solutions, and reflecting on results--using the technology available today. He also explores what computing means to clients, practitioners, managers, and policymakers.Human Services Computing is divided into three parts that build on the premise that human service decision making should be understood before applying technology to it. Part I focuses on the human service environment and decision-making process. Part II emphasizes the technology of computing, with chapters on hardware, programming and languages, software, and data management. Part III addresses the applications of computing, including human service software, types of computing systems, the implementation and management of computing systems, and future trends and issues that will have an impact on the human services.This is an essential and practical volume for professionals and students in the human services today. Throughout the book, descriptions of technology and its application are tailored for human service professionals and students with little or no systems, business, or computing background. Computing concepts and terms are defined, helping the reader gradually develop the vocabulary necessary to understand and discuss this highly technical area.