Human
services is an
interdisciplinary field with the objective of meeting human needs through an
applied knowledge base, focusing on prevention as well as remediation of
problems, and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall quality of life
of service populations. The process involves the study of social technologies
(practice methods, models, and theories), service technologies (programs,
organizations, and systems), and scientific innovations that are designed to
ameliorate problems and enhance the quality of life of individuals, families
and communities to improve the delivery of service with better coordination,
accessibility and accountability.[1] The
mission of human services is to promote a practice that involves simultaneously
working at all levels of society (whole-person approach) in the process of
promoting the autonomy of individuals or groups, making informal or formal
human services systems more efficient and effective, and advocating for
positive social change within society.
Human
services practitioners strive to advance the autonomy of service users through
civic engagement, education, health promotion and social change at all levels
of society. Practitioners also engage in advocating so human systems remain
accessible, integrated, efficient and effective.
Human
services academic programs can be readily found in colleges and universities,
which award degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels. Human
services programs exist in countries all around the world.