Case ManagementThe Social Worker as Broker Purpose. To link clients to appropriate human services and other resources. Description. Social work’s particular emphasis among the helping professions is to assistpeople in relating to their social environment. That places the social worker in the position of being the professional person most likely to facilitate linkage between client and community resources (i.e., to bring together a person needing a service and a provider of that service). To carry out the broker role, the social worker identifies clients’ needs, assesses their motivation and capacity to use various resources, and helps them gain access to the most appropriate resources. As a broker of human services, the social worker must be knowledgeable about the various services and programs available, maintain an up-to-date assessment of each one’sstrengths and limitations, and understand the procedures for accessing those resources. These resources may include social provisions (e.g., money, food, clothing, and housing) and/or social services (e.g., counseling, therapy, group interaction experiences, and rehabilitative services). Functions Client Situation Assessment. The first step in brokering is to understand thoroughly and accurately the needs and abilities of the client or clients. An effective broker should be skilled at assessing such factors as the client’s vulnerability, culture, resources, verbal ability, emotional stability, intelligence, and commitment to change. Resource Assessment. The social worker must assess the various resources available to meet client needs. For his or her own agency, as well as for other community agencies, the social worker must be familiar with what is offered, the quality of staff, the general eligibility requirements, and the costs of those services. Additionally, the social worker must know the best way to help clients gain access to those resources. Referral. The process of connecting the client to a resource requires that the social worker make a judgment regarding the motivation and ability of the client to follow through and the likelihood that the resource will accept the client for service. Depending on these judgments, the social worker will be more or less active in the referral process. Aproper referral also entails a follow-up activity wherein the worker checks to assure the client-resource connection is working to meet the client’s needs. If there has been a breakdown, further service may be warranted.Service System Linkage. Brokering requires that the social worker facilitate continuing interaction between various segments of the service delivery system. To strengthen the linkage among agencies, programs, and professionals, the social worker may engage in networking to establish communication channels, negotiating resource sharing, and/or participating in interagency planning, information exchange, and coordination activities. Information Giving. Brokering often requires the transmittal of information to clients, community groups, and legislators or other community decision makers. As a repository of knowledge about the service delivery system, the social worker helps others by sharingthis knowledge. Also, the social worker may make the general public aware of gaps between available services and needs. The Social Worker as Advocate Purpose. To assist clients in upholding their rights to receive resources and services or to actively support causes intended to change programs and policies that have a negative effect on individual clients or client groups. Description. At the heart of social work is advocacy. This role is fundamental to social work’s mission and is clearly embodied in the Code ofEthics (NASW 1996). For example, Section 3.07 of the Code calls for social workers to advocate “within and outside their agencies for adequate resources to meet clients’ needs” and to assure that theresource allocation procedures are open and fair for all clients (p. 20).At the macro level, Section 6.04 indicates that social workers are expected to “advocate for changes in policyand legislation to improve social conditions in order to meet human needs and promote social justice” (p. 27). Mickelson (1995) defines social work advocacy as “the act of directly representing, defending, intervening, Supporting, or recommending a course of action on behalf of one or more individuals, groups, or communities with the goal of securing or retaining social justice” (p. 95). Social workers must balance their methods of advocacy with the principles of maximizing client self-determination and client participation in the change process. To the extent possible, advocacy should take the form of assisting clients to be their own advocates. Needless to say, advocacy is not usually popular within one’s own agency or with the community service system. Nevertheless, advocacy is a necessary function performed by social workers. What is right is not always popular. The social worker should be preparedfor negative responses to advocacy activities.FunctionsClient or Case Advocacy. A common goal in this type of advocacy is to assure that the services or resources to which an individual client is entitled are, in fact, received. Such advocacy efforts may be directed toward one’s own agency or to others in the human services network. Critical steps include gathering information and determining if the client is, in fact, entitled to the desired service. If so, negotiation, mediation, and, if necessary, more strident and confrontational tactics are used to secure the service. The client is helped to make use of available appeal procedures and, in some instances, to takelegal action against the agency or service provider. Class Advocacy. The social worker must often serve as an advocate for groups of clients or a segment of the population that have a common problem or concern. Typically, class advocacy entails action intended to remove obstacles or barriers that restrict a class or category of people from realizing their civil rights or receiving entitlements or benefits due them. It usually requires efforts aimed at changing agency regulations, social policies, or laws. Consequently, class advocacy requires activity within the political and legislative arena and building coalitions with organizations that are concerned about the same issue. The Social Worker as Teacher Purpose. To prepare clients or the general public with knowledge