Proclamation by the Governor Recognizing the 30th Anniversary of the Strengths Perspective
TO THE PEOPLE OF KANSAS, GREETINGS:
WHEREAS, The School of Social Welfare at the University of Kansas created the Strengths Perspective for Social Work Practice 30 years ago, which has proven to be a pervasive influence on the social work profession around the world by changing the approach to social work by placing strengths and resources of people, communities, and their environments, rather than their problems and pathologies, at the center of the helping process ; and
WHEREAS, The origination of such an innovative approach provided the state of Kansas a means to support persons in the community instead of institutionalizing, which contributed to social welfare policy and program changes, such as mental health reform, the strengths based case management model and outcomes -based service evaluation; and
WHEREAS, The strengths-based method and perspective has grown more widespread from its initial directive to assist adults with psychiatric disabilities served by community mental health centers to other areas of social work including child and youth services, family practice, gerontology, mental health recovery, substance abuse treatment, and other fields of practice in the USA and several other countries; and
WHEREAS, The Strengths Perspective continues to evolve and is connected with related innovations in a variety of disciplines, such as empowerment practice, resilience theory, neuroplasticity research, capabilities theory, positive psychology, positive youth development, positive aging, supported employment, community asset development, disability rights and the independent living movement, restorative justice, and solution-focused therapy; and
WHEREAS, The citizens of the State of Kansas can look to the School of Social Welfare to provide a vision for social welfare policies and continued development of innovative approaches to better the lives of our most vulnerable populations so that future generations have a voice and are treated with respect and dignity.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, LAURA KELLY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF KANSAS, do hereby recognize the
30th Anniversary of the Strengths Perspective for Social Work Practice
In recognition of past and in anticipation of future contributions of the School of Social Welfare to the citizens of the state.