Non Profit Organizations 19
Have you ever noticed how trends come and go only to return again? Many times when they make a return the teenage generation feels that they have created something new .
If the past trend is shown to them they will point out some variation that sets the new fad apart .
These trends can be in fashions, accessories, hair styles and slang words .
In my line of work we see trend go and go also .
This surprises some people because I am in social work.
I have been in the social work field long enough that I have seen many trends come, go, and return .
The return often has a new twist or spin to it, but it is still a recycled idea .
As with cultural trends the people discussing new services do not want to be reminded that this has been around before .
In my career I have worked for both government agencies and non profit organizations .
Because the government agencies manage changes that the legislature makes them available to the public, that setting is much more political .
Non profit organizations can choose which service program areas that will serve; they do not have to provide services for all populations .
Government agencies cannot pick and choose .
They most provide, or contract with an agency that will, services to all citizens that meet the criteria for the services that are outlined by the legislature .
For large metropolitan counties this is not an issue because there are many service providers including non profit organizations that are available to service clients .
However for rural areas this gets to be quite difficult .
The government social service agencies are smaller and many of the non profit organizations are unable to find staff that is willing or trained to deliver services .
The result is that many people in rural areas must travel a great distance to receive services or go without them.
When I worked for government agencies I was paid higher wages, but I also had a great deal of responsibility .
I needed to know many areas of social work because I could be asked to change job duties at any time to help the agency meet mandated service areas .
In working for the non profit organizations the pace is slower and job duties remain consistent, however the pay is lower .
I have found that I would rather have the lower rate of pay and more time to devote to clients rather than having a higher wage and more documentation requirements .
It gets frustrating when the law makers bring back programs that have been tried and failed by putting a new name on them and passing their administering as law .
I do not miss having to explain to clients why the services they were receiving have changed or are cut .
This chore falls to the government workers.
