Welcome


This site is designed to support social workers and social service agencies applying Integral Theory to service. Relevant to social work's person-in-environment perspective, this meta-theoretical framework supports the integration and translation of prevention and intervention research with practice wisdom in the local context. This informs comprehensive approaches to help resolve complex social problems, such as homelessness.

Integral principles are easily grasped and implemented by emphasizing self care and leadership development to mobilize the healing power of social networks, or HEARTS. A variety of evidence-supported prevention and intervention activities, as well as emerging practices, can be pulled together within this context for a powerful combined impact.

"Restorative Integral Support", a flexible model derived from Integral Theory, facilitates this application. The RIS model includes agency leadership and staff persons as an aspect of an integrating approach that brings together prevention and intervention activities with both the "person" and "environment."

Leadership sets the tone for a compassionate culture in social service settings, while offering role modeling and supporting workforce development. By engaging in their own self care, staff contribute to this culture and are better-equipped to provide role modeling and relationship building for clients. Social networks promoting healthy behaviors emerge in this context. Policies can support and reflect this culture.

Integral Research engages post-disciplinary research teams in the study of the RIS model. Outcome evaluation is carried out by integrating research and practice to continually inform one another. There is the opportunity to bring research to practice, as well as practice to research, evaluating the efficacy of integrated, combined services.