Social capital – or the value that arises from connections, networks, and relationships – can help human services programs improve participant outcomes. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), RTI International, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s NC IMPACT Initiative conducted a national program scan, an expert panel, case studies, site visits, and a literature review to examine how social capital elements can be an important ingredient to overall program success. This document highlights common principles and emerging practices to inform practitioners who help participants build and use social capital to improve outcomes related to poverty, employment, and well-being.
See our handbook for more details, or visit the Social Capital landing page for more resources.
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- The Value of Relationships: Improving Human Services Participant Outcomes through Social Capital
- What is Social Capital?
- Research Brief: The Role of Social Capital in Supporting Economic Mobility
- Research Brief: Peer-to-Peer Supports: Promoting Employment and Well-Being
- Measuring Social Capital in Human Services Programs