Jack Rothman, an influential American social work scholar active from the 1960s onward, developed one of the most widely referenced frameworks for understanding community intervention. His work emerged during a period of significant social transformation in the United States, including the civil rights movement, the War on Poverty, and the rise of community action programs. In this context, Rothman introduced a structured typology of community change strategies—first published in the mid-1960s—that remains foundational in community development, social work practice, and public health today.
Community Action Model
There are three models of community change, and the first one is the community action model. This model is quite radical, aiming to redistribute resources in a significant way. When implemented, it redirects power toward more inclusive participation of community members in economic and health activities, expanding access to healthcare and other social benefits. Overall, it connects strongly with efforts to strengthen democracy, promote social justice, and broaden access to essential resources across the community.
Social Planning (or Social Policy) Model
The second model is the social planning or social policy model. This is a more deliberate, long-term, and technically oriented process of problem solving. It may involve the community to varying degrees—sometimes community participation is central, and sometimes it is limited. The model focuses on rational decision-making, the use of experts, and systematic planning to address complex social issues.
Community Development Model
The third model is the community development model. This approach assumes that sustainable change emerges from building the capacity of the community itself. It emphasizes empowerment, local leadership, skills development, and strengthening social networks. By fostering community capabilities, the model seeks to enable residents to take charge of their own development and shape the solutions that affect their lives.
Our project has been utilizing this model with our community health work.
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