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This monograph, “Strategies for Rural Social Service Organization and Delivery,” by Ronald C. Faas, James C. Barron, and Gary W. Smith, focuses on the challenges and opportunities for improving social service delivery in rural communities, particularly those not experiencing significant growth. The report highlights the unique aspects of rural areas, such as low population density and geographic isolation, which contribute to increased costs and lower quality of social services. It proposes a framework for understanding a “social services infrastructure,” encompassing public and private organizations, institutional frameworks, and operating rules. This infrastructure is compared to physical and civic infrastructure, with an emphasis on the role of telecommunications in overcoming rural isolation. The study examines seven categories of social service functions: aging and long-term care, education and libraries, health systems, mental health/alcohol/drug counseling, public safety, social welfare, and transportation. It then explores alternative organizational strategies and delivery approaches for these services. Key organizational strategies discussed include:
- Consolidation: Formal merging of agencies, which can lower per capita costs and broaden the population base, but may lead to a loss of political autonomy.
- Interlocal Cooperation: Two or more local governments working together, offering benefits like reduced duplication and increased access to resources while retaining local autonomy. This includes:
- Sharing Arrangements: Mutual use of personnel, facilities, or equipment (e.g., circuit riders, community centers, integrated case management).
- Privatization: Contracting public services to private (for-profit or non-profit) providers, which can increase efficiency but may raise concerns about control and quality.
- Inter-Agency Coordination: Organizations collaborating to solve specific problems, leading to reduced duplication and enhanced resource pooling.
Key service delivery approaches include:
- Circuit Riders: Mobile systems sharing personnel or equipment across multiple locations to reach remote clients.
- Community Center Facilities (Co-location): Sharing multiple services at a single location, creating “one-stop shops.”
- Integrated Case Management: Assigning a person or team to a client for comprehensive service planning and coordination.
- Service Extenders: Extending services beyond professionals through the use of volunteers (formal and informal) and natural helping systems (family, friends, neighbors, churches).
- Home-Based Delivery: Leveraging technology and volunteers to provide services in clients’ homes.
- Physical Linkage through Telecommunications: Using telecommunications to deliver services to remote locations.
The report concludes by emphasizing the need for policy makers and administrators to consider these strategies and suggests a research agenda to inform decisions aimed at strengthening rural social services. It underscores that adapting new forms of organization and delivery can improve service access and contribute to the vitality of isolated communities.
