LMSW Practice Test

One disadvantage of self-help programs is that

1. community groups involved in self-help rarely acquire the necessary financial resources

2. participants are never fully equipped to offer the services they claim to provide

3. their scope is too limited to be of true service to the community

4. they rarely influence the larger institutional system

The correct answer is: community groups involved in self-help rarely acquire the necessary financial resources

The chosen answer highlights a significant challenge that many self-help programs face: the difficulty in securing adequate financial resources. Funding is crucial for any program's sustainability, including those that are community-based or self-led. Without sufficient financial backing, these programs may struggle to provide consistent and comprehensive services, which can limit their effectiveness. In many cases, community groups may rely on volunteer support or donations, which can be unpredictable and may not cover all necessary expenses such as training, materials, or outreach efforts. This financial limitation can hinder the capacity of self-help programs to reach their full potential and serve the needs of the community effectively. In contrast, while other options present valid points of consideration regarding self-help programs, they do not encapsulate this particular issue of resource acquisition as directly. For instance, the concern about participants being inadequately trained to offer services addresses quality but overlooks the inherent operational challenges related to funding. Similarly, while there may be limitations in the scope of self-help programs or their ability to influence larger systems, these aspects do not necessarily impede the immediate functionality and reach of the programs in the community in the same way that financial constraints do.