Community Information/ Demographics
The Merakay offers its variety of services to members of the United States of America including empowerment programs, educational programs, health programs, foster care, intellectual education and development of disabilities and substance abuse among others. To understand effectively how the organization operates and any other factor that is likely to affect its operations, it is essential to have a clear picture of its demography. Fortunately, the information can be easily obtained in online platforms based on the most recent census reports. As of 1 st July 2018, the American population stood at 327,167,434 people who were composed of different races and ethnic groups (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). Importantly, it was established that the community had recorded a positive deviation of about 6% from the previous year when a census exercise was carried out.
Therefore, the increase in the number of citizens is a favorable opportunity for Merakay to succeed in its operations since it is at a higher chance of obtaining more clients when such types of demographic trends are experienced continuously. It is, therefore, worth to note that as at the said date, whites alone occupied more than 76% of the entire population. Other ethnic and racial groups include the Black Americans, Pure Asians and Latino or Hispanic (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). The higher number of races too affect the performance of Merakay.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The U.S. population served by Merakay can also be categorized based on other factors such as age and sex, economic status, level of education, income distribution and the population distribution density. Based on age and sex, it was established that as of July 2018, the population was dominated by females who stood at 50.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). The fact that females took a more significant number is a clear indication that the organization is likely to serve more females than males since the need for services offered can be considered to vary directly with gender composition. Specifically, issues related to females including empowerment programs through the provision of health care and maternal services should be given an upper hand at Merakay as they are more likely to emerge.
While the number of people under the age of 5 was estimated to be 6.1%, the ones above 18 years took 22.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). On the other hand, 15.6% of the entire population was composed of people above the age of 65 years old (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). The remaining percentage was made up of persons between 18 and 64 years. In accordance with the level of education, while more than 30% of the population had a Bachelor’s degree, it was established that about 87% succeeded in high school level of education for a period extending from 2013 to 2017 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019 ). The high number of educated people acts as an excellent indicator of the organization since workers may have an easier time providing healthcare and counseling to them.
Specifically, communication barriers are likely to be eradicated in such type of educated population. Health wise, the population can be described based on people living with disability and those that are not covered with health insurance policies. According to the census report of 2018, it is clear that 8.7% of people under the age of 65 years lived with a disability between 2013 and 2017 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). Remarkably, the results also indicated that 10.2% of people under the age of 65 lacked an insurance cover (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). It is important to note that the health conditions of the population should be evaluated critically to come up with the right decisions to realize the goals and objectives of the organization. This is because Merakay deals with the development of people with disabilities.
The economic situation of a nation, as well as the estimated distribution of people, also plays a significant role in determining the performance of organizations such as Merakay. While a higher number of people living above the poverty line is a good indicator, the inverse holds. In the U.S., people living in poverty were estimated to be 12.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). On the other hand, the per capita income for the last months of 2017 was found to be $31,117 while the median income of a household was averaged at $57,652 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). Logically, the data implies that a more substantial portion of the residents live above the poverty line, and, thus, are in a position to access healthcare services and other needs. For that matter, the Merakay could focus on the remaining 12% who were not in good financial positions.
According to the 2010 report, the nation had a population density of 87.4 people per square miles (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). These figures should also be considered for any planning exercise as they may encourage or hinder the realization of Merakay’s goals. Technology has developed to be an integral part of the daily lives of people, and it affects nearly everything. Specifically, in the U.S.A., about 87.2% of residents were computer literate (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). Furthermore, the same report indicated that 78.1% had a broadband subscription from 2013 to 2017 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). Importantly, the availability and accessibility of internet is likely to influence the performance of Merakay, and thus, it should be put into consideration. Ideally, a higher number of people accessing internet services may improve the communication processes between the organization and the targeted individuals in society.
Community Engagement
Merakay and its community communicate. This ensures the success of the organization by employing conducive communication strategies. Remarkably, this can range from the topmost worker to the subordinate staff together with the organization’s clients. From a thorough analysis of the official website of Merakay organization, it is crystal clear that the online platform is heavily used in the communication process. At a glance, the website in itself is an ideal avenue for relaying crucial information to the community. For instance, the website has information about the telephone number, email, geographical maps, and the official social media pages of Merakay. All these items give an overview of the methods used in communication.
Based on the fact that the organization has social media accounts, it is clear that this is one of the approaches used in linking it to the community. Specifically, Facebook pages provide a platform for a two way communication channel. While Merakay may keep updating the community of its operations, the community also has an opportunity of responding in either a positive or negative manner. The presence of email address and telephone numbers also points out to the fact that the community may decide to either send an email or make direct calls, hence, promoting engagement. Physical interactions may also be used in communication since the map has been provided. Ideally, people may decide to get an appointment with the workers of Merakay.
The extent to which Merakay engages in community initiatives. Merakay’s engagement in community initiatives may result in success or failure of the organization. It is worth to note that Merakay is doing a commendable job as far as involving the community to be served in concerned. As far as the Merakay is concerned, regional leaders are in every corner of the states it serves. The fact that these leaders are evenly distributed in eleven states points out that the organization is doing as much as it can to engage the immediate community. Specifically, the likelihood of a regional leader to understand the challenges of a community is improved by the degree of their closeness.
It is, therefore, in order to claim that Merakay involves the community significantly. The community involvement is not the only key to meet the targeted population, but also the organization at large. Specifically, the reputation of the organization is at a higher chance of improving, and this may increase the interaction with the community even further. Failure to engage the community would have adverse consequences. For instance, people may have a lot of doubts about their operations. Moreover, the organization may not have a clear picture of the type of population that is supposed to be served, and this may hinder the realization of its objectives.
Voice of the community in the programming of Merakay. The organization creates a favorable opportunity for the community to raise their issues about its operations. The members of the community are at liberty to offer suggestions, feedbacks, and even complaints to the organization for the right actions to be taken. Accordingly, it can be argued that Merakay’s operations are community centered. For instance, the community is encouraged to make phone calls or send emails to the provided platforms whenever they have an issue ranging from safety, privacy, or the quality of services offered (Merakay.org, 2019). Furthermore, residents to be served by Merakay are encouraged to seek information about the condition of both the current and previous workers of the organization or its affiliates (Merakay.org, 2019).
Since the community is empowered to relay information and any other issue to the organization, it is true that it is heavily involved in programming. For instance, the suggestions and complaints made through the channels provided may be used in making informed decisions about running the organization. When a caller complains about poor quality from a worker, right actions may be taken to rectify the situation, hence, improving service delivery. Merakay may also come up with policies that are beneficial to the community since it is in touch with members. It is also important to note that the messages sent to the organization are reviewed within one working day (Merakay.org, 2019). Indeed, this indicates that the organization is highly interested and committed to involving the community at every stage of its operations.
Integration of community into agency and individual practices. The community has been given an upper head in running the organization. At an individual capacity, members of the community are encouraged to make recommendations and complain about the activities of the organization. By doing so, these people are likely to act as supervising agencies since they monitor any activity that is carried out. It is important to note that the organization has the interests of the entire community at heart, and this implies that the society must be integrated accordingly. The fact that the community has been given avenues to raise their concerns indicates the commitment of the organization in integrating their interests. Significantly, responding to issues raised within one working day also encourages more people to use the channels of communication, and this is essential in their integration exercise.
Application of Theories in Analysis
A number of theories with regard to social work in such kind of setup have been relevant in improving their understandings. Theories that have been very instrumental in the analysis include the power dependency theory, organization culture theory, and human relations theory. It is also worth to note that two predominant types of power in the Merakay organization include connection and legitimate authority. Scientific management theory has also been relied heavily to help understand the role of science and technology in the organization. Significantly, organization culture theory has effectively been used in discussing the assumptions, values, and beliefs of the organization. Substantially, to operate in such type of an organization, it is crucial that one should have a background understanding of all the assumptions and values to be held. Failure to do so would result in the poor performance of an individual as well as that of the entire organization.
Other Theories that have not Been Utilized
The field of social work with regards to an organization like Merakay is full of theories. Some of the theories which have not been expounded include the social learning theory, psychosocial development theory, psychodynamic theory, transpersonal theory, and the rational choice theory. According to the social learning theory, behavior is likely to be persistent when it is reinforced by any relevant person (Simmons University, 2018). Accordingly, the theory implies that for any new behavior to be implemented, actions must go beyond the word of mouth (Simmons University, 2018). Importantly, the theory makes it realistic for Merakay to come up with practical measures which are likely to improve its performance.
The psychodynamic theory attempts to explain the personality with regards to both unconscious and conscious forces (Simmons University, 2018). Remarkably, the use of this theory can be employed in addressing people with ego at the station who may either be clients or employees. Addressing the needs of these people with regard to their ego may, therefore, contribute positively towards service delivery. Creativity, altruism, and ego are explained by the transpersonal theory (Simmons University, 2018). Accordingly, psychosis may be as a result of lack of healthy ego in individuals. It is, therefore, vital that this theory should be put into consideration in addressing the condition at Merakay.
Problem Solving as a Social Work Consultant .
The problem addressed by Merakay can also be solved using other alternatives. Remarkably, any measure to be taken must ensure that the satisfaction of workers is considered since it is likely to play a vital role in determining whether their efforts will succeed or not. It is important to note that theories such as the human relations theory can be used as the building block for an alternative solution. The theory postulates that people usually have a variety of social desires while in their specific work stations, and they are likely to respond to peer pressure compared to any control measure implemented by the administration and supervisor (Nunes, 2016). It is, therefore, clear that the alternative should aim at eradicating dependence on supervisors as it has been seen in the running of Merakay.
To achieve this objective, the organization should work in syndicates. Specifically, a selected group of people should compose a team that should be based on age. Furthermore, the members of each group should be assigned different duties in line with the goals of the organization. For instance, while several members should deal with the collection of data about the community to be served, others should focus on delivering the said services, collecting and responding to complaints raised, and ensuring that all tools are in existence. Since every member will consider each other as an equal, there is a higher likelihood that the organization will serve the population adequately. However, all activities by the teams should be well coordinated. To ensure that there is no supervision, the groups may monitor themselves by observing collective responsibility.
References
Nunes, P. (2016). Human Relations Theory. Retrieved from http://knoow.net/en/economics- business/management/human-relations-theory/.
Merakay.org. (2019). Contact us: Let us know how we’re doing. Retrieved from https://www.merakey.org/contact.html.
U.S. Census Bureau. (2019). Quick Facts: U.S.A. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045218.
Simmons University. (2018). Theories Used in Social Work Practice & Practice Models. Retrieved from https://socialwork.simmons.edu/theories-used-social-work-practice/
