The article addresses the importance of a holistic approach to human services by exploring the concept of community through utilizing service-learning/experiential education in human service courses. ACCESS (Achievement, Collaboration, Community, Education, Standards, and Services) illustrates that service learning/experiential education can offer a viable pedagogy for collaborative partnerships between the university, community, students, and faculty. The article reviews important elements of service-learning/experiential education to provide a thorough understanding of the concepts, including reflection on the service experience from students, community agencies, and faculty. Survey results demonstrate ways in which service learning/experiential education aids students in achieving skills and in acquiring a deeper understanding of course concepts while meeting needed services in the community.
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© 2012 National Organization for Human Services. This document was published with permission by the conference. It was originally published in Proceedings of the 2011 National Organization of Human Services Conference.