PARTICIPATORY MANAGEMENT IN A PUBLIC CHILD-WELFARE AGENCY - A KEY TO EFFECTIVE CHANGE

The authors examine participatory management, using a case example dra wn from their experience as consultants to a public child welfare agen cy. The approach to consultation called for the formation of an interd isciplinary task force, comprising agency staff, foster parents, court personnel, and community service providers, with the aim to improve t he agency's performance in reunifying children and families separated by foster care placement. A case example is used to illustrate success ful planning and implementing of participatory approaches, especially in large bureaucratic organizations.