ABSTRACT
Our profession of social work builds on a long practice tradition of relying on collaborative relationships to enhance outcomes for clients, most especially in work with families, groups, organizational teams, and interorganizational alliances within and between communities. Additionally, partnering across disciplines builds on a long intellectual tradition in social work in which we have integrated theory from a number of disciplines while developing our own utilization of it. Whether were working with families, organizational teams, or even interorganizational units, the common foundation underpinning all these practice models is the theory and tools of small group work or what our symposium will be referring to over the next several days as “think group.” Now, more then ever, we are called on to apply and enhance the knowledge and skills inherent in these groups, looking for traditional as well as innovative opportunities. One of the key opportunities in this regard is the interprofessional group as one form of group work that fosters community building. My remarks this morning are intended to affirm those of you that are “interprofessional believers” and welcome the rest of you into a world that knows that social work’s mission to improve the human condition can today best be achieved through creating, nurturing, and sustaining small groups comprised of individuals from multiple professional backgrounds as well as consumers from our local communities.
