Understanding Ecological Programming: Merging Theory, Research, and Practice

Increase the effectiveness of prevention programs by altering community and social settings!

Understanding Ecological Programming: Merging Theory, Research, and Practice contains vital information to help you become a better community-based program designer using ecological programming. Focused on the basic concept of the ecological programming modelthat people’s behaviors cannot be separated from their settingsthis book provides examples that clarify how ecological applications in programs increase their effectiveness. With tables, figures, assessment tools, and studies of programs currently using ecological or similar approaches, this book will show you how to change the individual’s environment to prevent further ruinous behavior.

This book will help you find the answers to such questions as:

• what is an ecological social program?
• what are the components of ecological programming?
• what do real programs that have implemented these principles look like?
• how realistic is it to suggest that one should implement an ecological program, is it harder than it seems?
• what are the outcomes of programming with an ecological model?
• what is the cost/benefit ratio of an ecological approach?

A major innovation presented in Understanding Ecological Programming is the Ecological Programming Scale (EPS), introduced by co-editor Dr. Susan Jakes. This book provides an overview, analysis, and evaluation of the EPS as a useful tool that assesses the ecologicalness of a social program and shows you how to apply it to your work. This valuable resource also offers an example of a successful program that encompasses ecological programmingthe Adolescent Diversion Project (ADP)as well as an example of a now-defunct social program that is evaluated to determine whether it failed due to a lack of ecological design incorporation.

Using the information in this book, you can improve on pre-existing social programs and create better ones. Understanding Ecological Programming is a must-read for social program developers/designers, program operators, interventionists, extension agents, community psychologists, human service providers, and extension specialists.

Susan Scherffiu Jakes, Craig Brookins