ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of computer and Internet applications from the policy to self-help levels of the human service delivery system. It describes two major categories of information technology (IT) applications that support policy: information analysis and dissemination and social action. Traditionally, social policy IT applications concerned storing and analyzing information for policy staff. Political leaders and elected officials infrequently used IT applications to enhance their policy decision making. Computers have traditionally played an important role in speeding up the creation, management, tracking, and mass mailing of literature on policy issues. Internet applications are now being used for information collection and dissemination, multiagency coordination, planning and committee work, building a new community, and strengthening neighbourhoods. The Internet makes multiagency networking easier and less expensive by providing agencies with a well-supported and inexpensive networking infrastructure. Agency management's first priority is to develop an information system that integrates independent applications and links to outside resources.
