ADVOCACY PARTICIPATION, STRUCTURE, and STRATEGY AMONG NONPROFIT HUMAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS by MARCELA SARMIENTO MELLINGER (Unde
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ADVOCACY PARTICIPATION, STRUCTURE, AND STRATEGY AMONG NONPROFIT HUMAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS by MARCELA SARMIENTO MELLINGER (Under the Direction of Stacey Kolomer) ABSTRACT Championing the cause of the disadvantaged and oppressed has been a core value of the social work profession since its inception. As a practice strategy, advocacy has allowed social workers to raise their voices regarding issues affecting individuals, groups, and entire communities, and has allowed human service nonprofit organizations to respond to environmental factors influencing the services they provide. However, in spite of the seemingly important role of advocacy there is a paucity of research in this area, with the focus of the literature placed on legislative advocacy. In an effort to address this gap in knowledge, the purpose of this study was to explore the influence of institutional factors on the advocacy behavior of human service nonprofit organizations. The central questions that guided this study were: (1) what institutional factors predict overall participation in advocacy? (2) what institutional factors predict the structure of advocacy among human service organizations? And (3) what institutional factors predict organizations‘ choice of specific advocacy targets? This quantitative exploratory-descriptive study employed a cross-sectional design. An electronic survey was sent to 345 organizations serving the Northeast Georgia region, which were selected through convenience sampling. Ninety-eight responses were received, of which 72 were included in the study. Logistic and multiple regression analyses were utilized to interpret data. Results suggested that as a group organizations are involved in advocacy; however, the level of participation is low. A majority of organizations reported doing advocacy, but when asked how often they go to their advocacy targets, they reported doing it infrequently. This was the case for all targets, which included legislators, administrators, court officials, and the community. Additionally, organizations reported having an advocacy structure, which was predicted by formalization. The more formalized organizations were, the higher theirs odds of having an advocacy structure. The study also showed that knowing the lobbying law was one significant predictor of advocacy targets, indicating that the more knowledge organizations have, the more likely they are to go to all the targets except the courts. Implications based on these findings were presented and recommendations for future research were made. INDEX WORDS: Advocacy, Human Service Non-profit Organizations, Macro Social Work Practice, Social Change, Systems Advocacy ADVOCACY PARTICIPATION, STRUCTURE, AND STRATEGY AMONG NONPROFIT SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS by MARCELA SARMIENTO MELLINGER BA, Millersville University, 1998 MSW, Temple University, 1999 A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of The University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY ATHENS, GEORGIA 2011 © 2011 Marcela Sarmiento Mellinger All Rights Reserved ADVOCACY PARTICIPATION, STRUCTURE, AND STRATEGY AMONG NONPROFIT SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS by MARCELA SARMIENTO MELLINGER Major Professor: Stacey Kolomer Committee: Brian Bride Shari Miller Electronic Version Approved: Maureen Grasso Dean of the Graduate School The University of Georgia May 2011 iv DEDICATION I dedicate this dissertation to my family whose steadfast love and support made this journey possible. To my father, Luis Sarmiento, who instilled in me the desire to learn and the drive to reach for my goals. To my mother, Patricia Zúñiga Sarmiento, who taught me to care and to use my abilities to bless others. To my sister Viviana, whose tender heart showed me a softer side of life. To my sister Veronica, whose strength motivates me to keep going. Finally, I dedicate this dissertation to my husband Duane Mellinger, my faithful companion, encourager, and best friend. Dedico esta tesis a mi familia quienes con su constante amor y apoyo han hecho que esta jornada fuera posible. A mi padre, Luis Sarmiento, quien me inculco el deseo de aprender y la determinación de alcanzar mis metas. A mi madre, Patricia Zúñiga Sarmiento, quien me enseño a preocuparme por otros y a usar mis habilidades para bendecir a otros. A mi hermana Viviana, que con su tierno corazón me mostro un lado de la vida mucho más delicado. A mi hermana Verónica, que con su valor y fuerza me motiva a seguir adelante. Finalmente dedico esta tesis a mi esposo Duane Mellinger, mi compañero fiel, mi alentador, y mi mejor amigo. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Through the process of completing this journey, I have been supported and encouraged by many. Mentors, family, friends, and others have inspired, encouraged, and challenged me through it all and for that, I am grateful. I want to first thank my major professor Dr. Stacey Kolomer for her unwavering support and her belief in the value of social work advocacy. She was always available and willing to dialogue about my thoughts and questions. Her thoughtful suggestions, insight, and confidence in me, helped me see that these ideas could actually turn into something valuable. Thank you for selflessly giving your time and energy so this project could be completed. Thanks are also due to my committee members, Dr. Bride and Dr. Miller. Dr. Bride, provided invaluable insight and direction to this project. He asked meaningful questions and challenged me to think beyond this project. Dr. Miller, gave of her time and energy to talk with me, answer many questions, and to carefully review my manuscript. Thank you both for all your work and for your support. I know I would not have reached this goal without the support of my family and friends. Your letters, phone calls, care packages, and of course your visits were invaluable. You all encouraged me and told me countless times that you knew I could do it. A special thank you to you Melanie for being my faithful friend; thank you for listening and for believing in me. The support you and your family have given me has been priceless. Thanks also to my dear friend Kate; you have encouraged and cheered me on all this time. You have known how to make me feel cared for the way only a mother and dear friend can. And thank you to all who in one way or another have touched my personal and professional life. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......................................................................................................... v LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................. viii CHAPTER 1 BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM ........................................................................... 1 Concerns Regarding Advocacy among Human Service Organizations ........................ 7 Overview of Theoretical Framework ......................................................................... 13 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................... 15 Purpose Statement .................................................................................................... 16 Significance of Study ................................................................................................ 17 Chapter Summary ..................................................................................................... 18 2 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ................................................................................ 20 Advocacy.................................................................................................................. 25 Advocacy Structure and Strategy by Human Service Organizations .......................... 40 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................. 50 Chapter Summary ..................................................................................................... 62 3 METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................ 64 Data Collection ......................................................................................................... 72 Data Measures .......................................................................................................... 72 Data Analysis ........................................................................................................... 77 Validity and Reliability ............................................................................................. 78 vii Chapter Summary ..................................................................................................... 81 4 RESULTS ..................................................................................................................... 83 Hypotheses Testing ................................................................................................. 108 Missing Values ....................................................................................................... 113 Chapter Summary ................................................................................................... 116 5 DISCUSSION ............................................................................................................. 117 Limitations ............................................................................................................. 128 Implications for Social Work ................................................................................