Russ Anthony 411 Promo

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Russ Anthony

My latest video is Russ Anthony 411 Promo. This short (59 seconds) video illustrates some the components of social work technology that make make this so rewarding for me. I have put together a few clips to highlight how social work technology can aid social workers in helping people and making social service agencies stronger. It was also a lot of fun to put together. Perhaps it will also inspire someone to increase their use of technology toward helping others. Feel free to leave a comment and or a suggestion. As always, thank you for visiting RussAnthony411.org!

Improving Tech Support for Community Service Organizations

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Russ Anthony

Social work and Information Technology has existed on separate planes. Sure, any modern public service organization should have access to qualified internal/external IT professionals. Chose the right IT staff that is the best fit for your organization and see employee performance improve with the use of computers and applications designed to meet program outcome measurements. Management will also have access to timely and accurate reports that can be used to tell the organization story to funding sources and governing bodies.

Choose the wrong IT support and see employees frustrated by inappropriate computer equipment that gets in the way of helping to meet program goals. Management would also be frustrated by not being to provide accurate and useful data.

These pointers are applicable to the very small agency that uses IT consultants to large organizations that have a central IT department with IT support personnel also stationed through the agency. For this reason, “IT support” could be an individual, a group, an outside organization or any combination of these.

1) Have a technology plan. Information technology professionals vary in areas of specialty. The key is to find the support with the expertise in the areas that are important to your organization. To do this organization must have a technology plan that describes your current focus and future growth. Then choose IT support that will help you achieve your technology goals. Sometimes agencies cannot control who provides IT support. Even so, having a technology plan will allow community service organizations to stay focused on important areas of need. This approach will not only be a better use of financial resources but will allow IT to spend time on the more critical aspects.

2) Know the difference between support and training. Know the difference between using IT support to address issues related to the installation and maintenance of your technology infrastructure and contacting IT to perform tasks that are found in the help menu, online or classes. This approach will not only be a better use of financial resources but will allow IT to spend time on the more critical aspects.

3) Using a go-between. “IT is IT and social work is social work”, except when organizations employ the use of a social worker technologist to liaison between the two professions. Social work technology involves using a social worker with computer/technical ability to address IT issues – with a social worker’s understanding of how the work is performed. Basic problems can be solved before accessing IT staff for higher level involvement – if needed. This approach will not only be a better use of financial resources but will allow IT to spend time on the more critical aspects.

Does your community service organization lack a solid approach toward using IT support? By considering these three pointers, your community service organization will be able improve your use of computers and technology. However, it starts at the top of your organization where management must show a commitment to do things in a different way.
RussAnthony411.org supports the use of technology by social workers. To see how other social workers are using technology, please also read my blog post for additional resources.

Evolution of Communication – Pt. 6

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Russ Anthony

Computers have come a long since email began. Click here to watch part six of the Evolution of Communication video series from Anthony-Denmark Communications. We often take the communication technology we use today for granted. Besides new products and services are introduced at a rapid pace. Watch as Nicholas Holland, CEO of CentreSource Interactive Agency, slows it down for you in Evolution of Communication. This is a series of short videos that explains how humans have communicated since the beginning of time. In Part Six: “Email”, Nicholas explains how the invention of email was a major shift in the way people learned to communicate. Evolution of Communication – it’s something to talk about.

Coming soon: Part 7: Text Messaging

Ten Social Work Technology Beliefs That Bring Hope

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Russ Anthony

I believe that people should have a bigger role in deciding how they are affected by technology including how their personal information is used.

From the age of nine or ten I remember having an interest in electronic devices and media. My older sister would call me ‘The Mad Scientist” as I was taking apart a radio or record player to see how it worked. I am fortunate now that I am able to own the electronic equipment devices as an adult that grew out of my interest as a child. As I have matured, I have seen how technology has hurt and helped people. I want to do more to help. I started Anthony-Denmark Communications and RussAnthony411 in order to carryout beliefs that bring hope for a better tomorrow. Social work technology expresses these core beliefs. These are only ten technology beliefs. Maybe you share some of these or can add your own.

Belief One: Everyone should access to important information in order make informed decisions about how he/she is affected by technology.

Belief Two: People have a right to decide how much personal information to disclose to business or institutions. People should be made aware of how the information is used in easy to read and concise language.

Belief Three: Everyone should take steps to protect his/her own personal information and not to rely solely on the privacy policies created by outside organizations.

Belief Four: Increase access to technology should be made available to those with physical/mental limitations.

Belief Five: Affordable technology should be reachable to the poor and people in remote areas.

Belief Six: Technology can help to preserve the wisdom of older generations as well as maintain connections with distant family members.

Belief Seven: Technology can help people to communicate with each other when personal interactions are impractical, however, technology does not replace human contact.

Belief Eight: Using technology requires a responsibility, to use it appropriately, be considerate of others and to dispose it wisely.

Belief Nine: Technology is to make our lives better. Periodic assessments should be made of personal and organizational uses of technology and the effects.

Belief Ten: Technology should be shared. Organizations and individuals should seek to share equipment and expertise to those in need. This will empower those who receive to reach out to assist others in need.

Technology can do so much to help people. It touches so many parts of our lives that we cannot ignore it. Therefore, let’s do what we can to share the benefits of technology and information with everyone. What can you do?

-Russ