Keystone Human Services

Beyond Programs: A Parable

Revised and Edited from Work by Michael McCarthy, 1990

In the beginning many people lived in big institutions and there was very little hope.

However some people had a dream and for the first time community placements were created, and lo we were happy for being able to offer people hope.

And so, we said, this is very good.

And placements multiplied and began to fill our communities.

We then said, let us call people "clients" and make more programs, which focus on serving their needs.

And "clients" were carefully defined and labeled, and grouped according to their labels and assigned to programs based on their labels. And we created more services for each of the labels, and state agencies developed unit costs for each service.

And programs prospered and multiplied, and we said, this is very good.

And as programs multiplied, a cry arose:
"Let us evaluate our programs to see how good they are."

And program evaluation systems, state regulations, quality assurance committees, compliance plans, eligibility requirements, entitlements and other accountability measures were created, and they multiplied and filled volumes.

And in those times, a prophet arose and said to us:

"I don't want to be a "client" anymore, I am a person.
I don't want a label, I have a name.
I don't want a treatment plan, I want a life.
I don't want services, I want support and help.
I don't want a residential placement, I want a home.
I don't want a day program, I want a job that is meaningful and productive.
I don't want to be "programmed".
I don't want to be "case managed". 
I don't want to be controlled anymore.
I want to learn to do the things that I like.
I want to go to the places I want, when I want.
I want to have fun and to enjoy life.
I want to have friends.
I want to love and be loved.
I want a family.
I want to contribute to others.
I want to be encouraged in getting to know God better.
I want to live where I want and with whom I want.
I want the same opportunities as all of you.
I want to be happy.
I want to make the decisions that are about my life.
I want freedom."

And there was a long silence.

And lo, we realized that we must look beyond our programs, our regulations and our labels.

But we were deeply troubled, and asked:

"What have we done? How can we do what the Prophet asks? Would not each person need their own unique supports based on his own desires, preferences and individual measure of quality?"

And the prophet replied:

"Even as you say, so should it be done—
just as you have done for yourselves in your own lives."

This page last updated on:
October 3, 2007