Community Resources: A Guide for Human Service Workers.

Crimando, W., & Riggar, T. F. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press, Inc. 2005, 367 pages, ISBN: 1-57766-377-2

The British philosopher, statesman and author, Francis Bacon is attributed as the originator of the axiom "knowledge is power." Indeed, Bacon was prophetic with this notion, since we now live in the of "the age of information." The irony or reality then, is whomever holds the information, also holds the power.

Crimando and Riggar's (2005) offering of information, via their second edition of their book, Community Resources: A Guide for Human Service Workers, is clearly directed at the person most responsible for service to people with disabilities and rehabilitation: the human service professional. Perhaps the title of human services professional is somewhat confusing. This term often is synonymous with case manager or rehabilitation counselor, yet, this book can, and should, be used by more than those professional roles.

Practitioners of all levels will find value in Community Resources. In fact, the manner in which the book is laid out-sections on health and diagnosis services, rehabilitation and vocational services, legal and social services, and education and human services-is a bit misleading. A health professional can certainly pick up an idea or two from the section on legal and social services. A lawyer can certainly glean some ideas from the section on education and human services. A front-line worker can also use this resource just as successfully and fruitfully as a CEO of a nonprofit organization.

For decades, the notion of natural supports, that is, the services and community agencies that can be accessed by all, regardless of the presence of a disability or debilitating condition, have abounded in the literature and as a grounded mechanism of human service agencies. The strength of this book is the diversity of "settings" and the descriptions of these settings by an impressive variety of authors-many with a current or past ties to Southern Illinois University-should not be overlooked. In the introduction section of the book, Riggar explains in very readable terms the intentions of the guide and the responsibilities that are placed upon the human service agency. Crimando delves rather thoughtfully in the case management (and manager) implications; both set the reader up with how to get the most out of the book.

Although the book is very balanced in terms of topics and expertise for diverse human service agencies, the main substance is in the rehabilitation and vocational services section. There is much discussion about basal programs that give the reader a good base for future topics. The vocational rehabilitation and the community service program chapters ground the reader for the more sophisticated chapters on forensic rehabilitation, assistive technology, peer self-help groups, and Social Security disability income. Indeed, there is a synergy that has always existed with the knowledge and acumen of the rehabilitation counselor: some families need just basic services, while others need more multi-faceted services. The onus is on the counselor to know all types of program/service options extremely well, and act accordingly.

There are, however, two constructive criticisms that need to be noted. Any book such as this is almost outmoded from the day it is published: laws change, paperwork changes, regulations change. But because of the way the book is written, there still exist the overall philosophy and "tips" for using varied natural supports. Still, things do change.

The other criticism is that there is a dearth of websites that the reader can use to explore the varied human service agencies and what each has to offer. True, URLs come and go, but offering a few websites would strengthen the book. Almost all human service agencies have computers and internet access. And a book of community resources would be made stronger with the addition of the URLs. Information, once again, is power: the human service practitioner's job should be powerful. These minimal weaknesses are strongly overshadowed by the book's strengths.

Still, this book should be on the shelf of every nonprofit organization. In addition, current college students could also learn much from this text. Future practitioners will be able to see what current trends are being addressed by professionals already in the trenches. Community Resources is also an ideal book for people who are embroiled in continuing their education.

Bruce A. Shields, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor and Chair

Education Department

Daemen College

Amherst, NY