1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« Most of these studies, however, tend either to focus on cross-cultural service delivery, offer a general description of the problems in the human service sector, or focus on policy aspects. While many studies discuss how cross-culturaly sensitive social services are delivered, very few studies attempt to examine how culturally sensitive services are actually delivered to the members of ethnic communities by ethno-specific service agencies. Will the practice of ''ethnic match'', linking caregivers and receivers from the same ethnic background, enhance the outcome of the interaction ? Nor have studies paid much attention to how a social environment affects the ways ethno-specific agencies deliver their services, since ethno-specific agencies do not exist in a vacuum. As Elazar (1976) argues, an ethno-specific agency is operated in a larger context : within both an ethnic community and the larger community surrounding it. This dissertation attemps to address some of these neglected issues by adapting a comparative approach. We explore how a Chinese family service agency and a Jewish service agency, both based in Montreal, deliver sensitive services to members of their communities. » (p. 2)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
« This study was conducted using qualitative research techniques. A total of 60 indepth interviews were carried out. In CFS [Chinese Family Services], the executive director and 8 program coordinators were interviewed, as well as 2 staff, 2 board members, and 8 clients. Other interviewees included 3 key figures in the Chinese community, and 3 Chinese-speaking CLSC workers. Because CFS does not offer much counseling, it is difficult to draw a comparison with JFS [Jewish Family Services], which offers counseling. In order to make a more comparable analysis with JFS, a Chinese family service agency in Toronto (TFS) was brought into this study. Five social workers and the director were interviewed. In JFS, the executive director and 5 supervisors were interviewed; others included 8 social workers and counselors, 2 staff, 1 program director, 3 board members, a director of the Federation, 2 key figures in the community (one of them a rabbi), and 4 clients. » (p. 29)

Instruments :
Guide d’entretien semi-directif
Type de traitement des données :
Analyse de contenu

3. Résumé

« This study explores the complex issues in culturally sensitive social services in the context of ethnic polities. We examine the reasons why the social service sector fails to provide equitable services to minorities. We explore the concept of ethnic match, services delivered by ethnic personnel, in an ethnic agency and using ethnic practice, as an attainable solution to the problems, by comparing with a Chinese and a Jewish ethnospecific family service agency in Montreal. The ways they deliver sensitive services to communities members and the challenges they face are documented. The dynamic of the ethnic polities in which these two agencies operate is also examined. We argue the formation and functionning of these agencies are shaped by a set of internal factors (within the communities) and external factors (in Quebec society). Culture plays a vital role in service delivery and help seeking, and also in the organization of these ethnic communities. Policy implications are discussed, and future research is suggested. » (résumé)