McSpirit, Faltraco, and Bailey’s book titled Confronting ecological crisis in Appalachia and the South: University and Community Partnerships (2012) is all about community involvement, social justice, and community development skills from different parts of Appalachia. It challenges the traditional role of universities and introduces ideas that are the basis for Participatory Research. One thing that stuck out to me in the early chapters was that true community change starts with people who care and are involved.
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Missing the Target – FAQ
A version of this post was originally posted on Oct 17, 2012.
The preceding post is accessible via this link.During the academic year, students frequently inquire about the “Missing the Target” post, which I incorporate into an Introduction to Human Services course. The actual post can be accessed here. This narrative has been an integral part of the course for over eight years.
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Missing the Target: A Reflection on a Mismanaged Human Services Appointment
A version of this article was first published on October 9, 2012
Cascade Falls Trail – Giles County, VA Several years ago, I participated in a treatment team meeting that serves as a cautionary tale for those involved in human services. These meetings, formally known as Child and Family Team Meetings in the respective state, were intended to facilitate a collaborative discussion on client progress involving the client, their families, and relevant professionals.
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Mabry Mill – The Internal Destruction of Appalachia
The issues at Mabry Mill have been a concern for locals for a while now. But thanks to the efforts of people in and around the Meadows of Dan area, these concerns are starting to get some attention. I went there today with my son, taking photos around the site. Surprisingly, there were a lot of people walking the trails and enjoying the place on the day after Christmas. Even someone from Pennsylvania walked by and said in a friendly way, ‘Happy Holidays, and what a beautiful place!’ Well, it is a beautiful place, or was once upon a time in my memory. But today, even with the grayness of winter, the stark contrast between the lack of attention and the beauty of the place is obvious. Maybe even more obvious than the lush green of summer.
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An Introduction to the Field of Substance Use and Addiction
My introduction to the field of substance use and addiction was an accidental one. Despite nearly three decades of involvement, I find myself still in this field. While some circumstances align, others do not, but in this case, the confusion surrounding addiction and its impact on our population has remained with me. I will delve deeper into this topic in subsequent posts.
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