Does your human services organization need help navigating the business world? Does your staff development program lack the focus on business skills you need to drive your organization forward? Are you having trouble finding a business book specifically written for human services professionals? If you answered these questions "yes," this book is for you. Since the 1970s, private human services organizations have been assuming the critical responsibility to care for people with disabilities, a duty formerly carried out by the government. Yet the philosophy of supporting individuals to live independently in the community is now colliding with the reality of limited funding. Regulators are demanding that agencies achieve quality outcomes at lower cost. Human services organizations can no longer ignore the need for their key managers to make program decisions using sound business concepts. The human services field attracts many people who "enjoy working with people, not numbers." But good mission is not possible without good business. Without a strong business foundation, your company will be unable to deliver the services that will fulfill its mission. If you are—or aspire to be—in a position of authority in our special industry, this book will be a vital tool. We hope it will enable you to understand: • The world we live in • Public policy • Agency mission • Organizational structure • Corporate culture and leadership • Birth, life, and death of a program • Accounting and finance concepts • Revenue strategies • Support functions • Business valuations • PLUS twenty critical takeaways for industry professionals!

The Business of Human Services

Business & Money

Balestrieri, James G.

Leahy, Terrence J

Management & Leadership

Writers of the Round Table Press

Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, and more, Meltdown is the fictional story of Benjamin, a boy diagnosed with Asperger’s disorder and additional challenging behavior. From the time Benjamin is a toddler, his parents know he is different: he doesn’t play with his sister, refuses to make eye contact, and doesn’t seem to understand how to communicate with others. And his tantrums are not like normal tantrums; they’re meltdowns that will eventually make regular schooling—and day-to-day life—impossible. From first clues to diagnosis, navigating the special education system to securing expert help, Benjamin’s parents must become his greatest advocates. Together, they learn that the journey toward hope isn’t simple—but with the right tools and teammates, it’s possible. This book is part of the ORP Library of disability books.SPECIAL NOTE: Asperger’s disorder is a complex syndrome that affects children in different ways. The child with Asperger’s disorder depicted in the following story struggles with significant emotional and behavioral difficulties that require a therapeutic environment. The great majority of children with Asperger’s disorder do not resemble the child shown in this story. But those who do face challenges that have made it difficult to benefit from education in the public school system. At Genesee Lake School, we strive to build relationships with the children in our care so that they learn new skills that will lead to a successful return to their home, school, and community. It is our hope that the following story will add to your own understanding of the often lonely journey experienced by families with children with these unique challenges and gifts.

Meltdown: Asperger’s Disorder, Challenging Behavior, and a Family’s Journey Toward Hope (The ORP Library)

Gutiérrez, Katie

Krukar PhD, Jeff

Teen & Young Adult

RTC Publishing

Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, therapists, and more, An Unlikely Trust is the fictional story of Alina, a young girl adopted from Russia. After a lengthy adoption process, Alina’s parents are confounded by their daughter’s behavior upon arriving in America. They were aware that she did not speak English and expected some developmental delay, but they did not foresee that the tiny four-year-old would hoard her food, deeply mistrust affection from others, and fail to initiate or respond to most social situations. Most concerning, though, are Alina’s rages. When she is frightened, overwhelmed, or confused, Alina lashes out with the strength and stamina of a person many times her size, leading to injury, property destruction, and eventually police intervention and hospitalization. Alina’s parents know that their daughter needs help—more than they can provide—and work endlessly on her behalf. From seeking a diagnosis to advocating for special education services, from keeping Alina safe to discovering her strengths, her parents become her biggest champions. They know there is hope for Alina—and their family—and will not stop their quest until that hope is realized. This book is part of the ORP Library series of disabilities books.

An Unlikely Trust: Alina's Story of Adoption, Complex Trauma, Healing, and Hope (The ORP Library)

Politics & Social Sciences

Krukar, Jeff

Social Sciences

This case study book serves as a companion to the text The Business of Human Services: A Guide to Running a Successful Human Services Company. A more complete understanding of the human services industry requires not only studying the text chapters, but also applying those principles to situations that have occurred in real life. Since the 1970s, private human services organizations have been assuming the critical responsibility to care for people with disabilities, a duty formerly carried out by the government, religious organizations, or others. Yet the philosophy of supporting individuals to live independently in the community is now colliding with the reality of limited funding. Regulators are demanding that agencies achieve quality outcomes at lower cost. Human services organizations can no longer ignore the need for their key managers to make program decisions using sound business concepts. The human services field attracts many people who "enjoy working with people, not numbers." But good mission is not possible without good business. Without a strong business foundation, your company will be unable to deliver the services that will fulfill its mission. If you are-or aspire to be-in a position of authority in our special industry, this book and workbook will be vital tools. It is our hope that you can use the text and case study book together to help you achieve your mission. Whether the answers are in black and white or reside in the cloudier world of grey, your studies will place you and your agency on the right path so you can control your own destiny. Our industry is special, and like any specialized industry, it demands specialized ways to make effective decisions. Let us help you fill your toolbox with the tools necessary for success.

The Business of Human Services: A Guide to Running a Successful Human Resources Company: Case Study Workbook

Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, and speech and occupational therapists, Incredible Adam is the illustrated fictional story of Adam, a boy diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The story follows a social narrative format to depict a typical day in Adam's life within his therapeutic residential school. From the time Adam wakes to the hour he sleeps again, his day presents him with successes to experience and challenges to overcome. With the support of his caregivers and family, he is able to use tools he's learned to help with attention, engagement, and regulation of his behavior. Offering unique insight and understanding into the journey taken by lower skilled children with autism spectrum disorder, Incredible Adam offers parents, caregivers, teachers, and therapists a special tool to help the children in their lives. This book is part of the ORP Library series of disabilities books.

Incredible Adam and a Day with Autism: An Illustrated Story Inspired by Social Narratives (The ORP Library)

Parenting & Relationships

Disabilities & Hyperactivity

Nearly one third of all school children are bullied each year. That's more than thirteen million kids who face physical, verbal, cyber, and social bullying on a regular basis. For years, educators and parents have searched for ways to end bullying, but as that behavior becomes more sophisticated, it's harder to recognize and to stop. In Classroom Heroes, Jason is a quiet, socially awkward seventh grade boy who has long suffered bullying in silence. Zaria is a teacher who understands that in order to effectively stop bullying, we have to change the mindset. We have to enlist not just the educators and parents, but also the children to create a community that does not tolerate bullying. Classroom Heroes is a heartbreaking but ultimately heartening story of how one class changes its environment to end bullying, one student at a time.

Classroom Heroes: One Child's Struggle with Bullying and a Teacher's Mission to Change School Culture (The ORP Library)

DeLoatch, Pamela

Estimated to occur once in every 15,000 births, Prader-Willi Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that includes features of cognitive disabilities, problem behaviors, and, most pervasively, chronic hunger that leads to dangerous overeating and its life-threatening consequences. Insatiable: A Prader-Willi Story draws on dozens of intensive interviews to offer insight into the world of Violet, a young girl with Prader-Willi Syndrome. For Violet, Prader-Willi Syndrome impacts everything from family and social relationships to education to her own self-image. But with the persistence of her parents and the help of experts, she will eventually discover not just how to live with Prader-Willi Syndrome—but how to live as Violet.

Insatiable: A Prader-Willi Story (The ORP Library)

Frisk, Debbie

McCutchin, Chelsea

When Max was four, he was diagnosed with PDD-NOS—pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified. Diana and Aaron, his parents, thought the news couldn’t get any worse. But six years later, Max was re-diagnosed with autism. He is low functioning, barely verbal, and when he becomes frustrated or overwhelmed—which happens often—he hurts himself or others. Now, at twelve, Max is nearly Diana’s size, and much larger than his two younger brothers. Diana and Aaron have a difficult choice to make: do they continue treating Max with vitamins, supplements, and diet, avoiding the potential side effects of psychotropic medication, or do they admit that Max is not improving and try something new? The decision is fraught with complexities, each side rife with potential to both help and harm Max. Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents and clinicians, Connecting with Max is the story of a modern struggle with a universal theme: a mother and father’s love for their children.

Connecting with Max: How Medication Closed the Gap between a Family and Their Son with Autism (The ORP Library)

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Weisensel, Nicolette

Mental Health

When Max was four, he was diagnosed with something called PDD-NOS—pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified. His parents thought the news couldn’t get any worse. But six years later, Max was rediagnosed with autism. He is low functioning and barely verbal, and when he becomes frustrated or overwhelmed—which happens often—he hurts himself or others. For his younger brother, Justin, this can be hard to understand. But Justin loves his brother and wants to understand him better. Written with children in mind, Medicine for My Big Brother explores the impact of autism from a sibling’s perspective, especially focusing on the use and effects of psychotropic medication. Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents and clinicians, Medicine for My Big Brother is the story of a modern struggle with a universal theme: a brother’s love.

Medicine for My Big Brother: A Comic Book About Autism, Medication, and Brotherly Love (Orp Library)

Children's Books

Antonow, Agata

Comics & Graphic Novels

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Balestrieri, James G.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Balestrieri, James G.