PART ONE: THE NATURE OF TASK GROUPS IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES The History of Task Groups in the Social Services The Variety of Task Groups Utilized PART TWO: THE PROFESSIONAL PRACTITIONER'S ROLE IN TASK GROUPS Planning, Composing and Recruiting a Task Group The Professional's Role on the Social Service Team The Practitioner's Responsibilities for the Functioning of Task Groups Handling Problematic Behaviors of the Task Group, Subgroups and Members PART THREE: PROBLEM-SOLVING TECHNIQUES The Problem-Solving Process Small Group Decision-Making Procedures Large Group Decision-Making Procedures Methods of Evaluating Composition, Process and Outcome in Task Groups