This study seeks to clarify the impact of the modern concept of Houtoku on the establishment and growth of social work in Shizuoka Prefecture, the center of the Houtoku movement. This paper examines Shinko Seikatsu-kan, a unique type of settlement house that was developed in Shizuoka Prefecture. Shinko Seikatsu-kan was designed to utilize donations from all over Japan for the areas affected by the November 1930 North Izu Earthquake and was widely distributed throughout the prefecture under the rehabilitation movement during the Showa Depression. Shinko Seikatsu-kan spread under the influence of Shintaro Sasai (1874–1971), vice president of Dainippon Houtoku-sha, and the “Shinko Houtoku” movement developed concurrently with its spread. This study revealed that the “Shinko Spiritual Platform” and the “Shinko Seikatsu-kan Plan,” which were established as reconstruction guidelines after the North Izu Earthquake, were the origins of the Shinko Houtoku movement.

The objective of this study is to clarify the factors that influence local governments’ implementation of home visiting for learning and life support program for children in need, and to consider future issues. We examined the hypotheses pertaining to the three factors of “financial factor,”“human resource factor,” “local government’s recognition of issues,” which are implementation factors for home visiting. We administered questionnaires targeting program managers in 580 local governments nationwide as a survey method. The analysis result suggests that additional measures for implementing home visiting affect such implementation in terms of the financial factor. Meanwhile, a significant correlation exists between securing professional supporters and implementing home visiting in terms of human resources. Moreover, securing support organizations with a well-equipped home visiting system is correlated with home visiting implementation. Regarding local government recognition of issues, there was a difference between the group that implements home visiting and the group that does not implement home visiting in terms of the expected program performance. Based on these findings, we presented issues for improving home visiting for learning and life support program.

The authors surveyed support workers who work with adults with an intellectual disability (AwID), using two scales to measure their attitudes toward the sexuality of AwID and that of the general population. The purpose of this survey was to examine the relationship between the attitudes of workers regarding the sexuality of AwID and the gender of AwID. The majority of respondents viewed AwID’s expressions of sexuality and sexual behavior positively. owever, a t-test revealed that the scores for the attitudes toward AwID were significantly lower than those toward the general population when comparing the average overall scores of items on the two scales. Another t-test comparing the average attitude scores toward AwID by the gender of the questionnaire subject was conducted. The findings revealed that attitudes toward women with ID had a significantly lower score than attitudes toward men with ID. Consequently, the present study found that although support workers have generally accepting views regarding the sexuality of AwID, their attitudes are significantly more protective toward AwID than the general population, particularly concerning female AwID.

A group interview survey was conducted to clarify the factors contributing to the continuing activities of members of a multigenerational nonprofit organization (NPO) whose purpose is community development. We focused on the factors that contribute to continuing generational activities and the relationship between generations. The findings reveal that those in their 20s–30s cited “good experience” and “organizational climate suited to youth,” respectively. Meanwhile, those in their 40s–50s indicated “motivation for activities themselves” and “Community atmosphere suitable for community development,” respectively, whereas those in their 60s–70s cited “connections with others” and “joy in feeling one’s own role,” respectively. All generations indicated one common factor, namely, an environment that allows them to pursue their interests. As for intergenerational relationships, the need for such an environment for those in their 20s–30s, 40s–50s was reinforced by support from those in their 60s–70s and their attitude when interacting with the younger generation. The characteristics of activity continuity factors varied from generation to generation, suggesting that these factors are strengthened due to their multigenerational nature.

From an advocacy standpoint, this study aims to examine the issues and tasks related to supported decision-making (SDM) for people with severe or profound intellectual disability, including consent for treatment. Analyzing previous studies and building on them, this study discusses consent for treatment based on an episode taken from a field-note. First, the risks associated with SDM implementation within the “institutionalization of community” context were identified. The tasks included ensuring an equal basis with others (people with no disabilities). Moreover, the level of intimacy between the person and the supporter was found to vary in degree and quality among the supporters; therefore, it is essential to create a “circle of support.” Furthermore, since family opinions take precedence in consent for treatment, the intention of the supporter, who shares a close relationship with the individual with a disability, must be included in the SDM process. Future tasks, including consent for treatment, involve securing an equal basis with others, ensuring the continuity of SDM throughout all stages of life, and increasing responsivity among supporters through promoting the organization’s development.

This report seeks to clarify the current state of reservation work and capacity utilization ratio management among social workers regarding short-term admissions for daily life long-term care. A questionnaire survey was administered to social workers from all 239 facilities in the A prefecture (121 responses; 50.6% valid response rate). The results revealed three points regarding the characteristics of social workers’ reservation work and capacity utilization ratio management. First, the social workers regarded reservation work as a component of social work, responding flexibly and politely. Second, the social workers’ reservation work, as well as social work, had an aspect of capacity utilization ratio management. Third, social workers’ preoccupation with capacity utilization ratio management may cause friction with other professionals. This study concluded that, instead of making social workers responsible for utilization management, an organizational support structure is necessary to prevent the isolation of social workers.