Why Social Work Needs Mapping

Abstract

Relative to other fields, social work has been slow to adopt geographic information systems (GIS) as a tool for research and practice. This paper argues that GIS can benefit social work by: (1) continuing and strengthening the social survey tradition; (2) providing a framework for understanding human behavior; (3) identifying community needs and assets; (4) improving the delivery of social services; and (5) empowering communities and traditionally disenfranchised groups. Examples from a social work course on GIS and published social work research help illustrate these points. The paper concludes by considering the ways that social work can contribute to the development of GIS. WHY SOCIAL WORK NEEDS MAPPING Amy Hillier University of PennsylvaniaRelative to other fields, social work has been slow to adopt geographic information systems (GIS) as a tool for research and practice. This paper argues that GIS can benefit social work by: (1) continuing and strengthening the social survey tradition; (2) providing a framework for understanding human behavior; (3) identifying community needs and assets; (4) improving the delivery of social services; and (5) empowering communities and traditionally disenfranchised groups. Examples from a social work course on GIS and published social work research help illustrate these points. The paper concludes by considering the ways that social work can contribute to the development of GIS. Building on this conceptual approach to understanding GIS, this paper is organized around five broad-and often overlappingways that mapping can enrich social work.First, better integrating GIS into social work education, research, and practice will allow social work professionals to continue and strengthen the social survey tradition. Second, GIS provides a theoretical framework for understanding human behavior that moves beyond an individual deficit model. Third, when used to assess needs and assets, mapping reveals patterns in disparity across race, income, and geography that are critical for promoting social justice and addressing needs of at-risk populations. Fourth, mapping can improve the delivery of social services when used to evaluate programs, locate new facilities, and organize work assignments. Finally, GIS can empower communities and traditionally disenfranchised groups when used to share information and facilitate public planning. After developing these themes, this paper turns to the issue of why GIS needs social work and how social workers can help insure that GIS is used to promote, rather than disenfranchise, communities.

Locality Service Review and Planning with GIS: A Pilot Study of Spatial Analysis of Poverty Data in Hong Kong

“…The authors suggest that six social aspects can be visualized and studied through GIS technology, including data about the workplace, education, families, neighborhoods, disadvantage, and poverty. Hillier (2007) suggests that GIS application can help improve social work practice in five ways. First, it is a new way to strengthen the social survey tradition.…”

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“…Several calls have been for the social work profession to incorporate or at least offer GIS content as part of the curriculum (Felke, 2003;Hillier, 2007;Weir & Robertson, 1998). Queralt and Witte (1998a) moved beyond the academic arena with their recommendation that human service agencies commit at least one staff member to obtaining the skills and knowledge needed for GIS implementation.…”

Place Matters: The Spatial Effects of Human Service Expenditures

“…A defining feature of many human services is that they are place-based (e. g. Bielefeld, Murdoch, and Waddell 1997;Joassart-Marcelli and Wolch 2003;Allard 2009;Hillier 2007;Peck 2008). One cannot provide a feeding program over the internet, or an afterschool program from a call center overseas.…”