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.