A different model: alternative service delivery for today's diverse communities

This article proposes a new model of human services delivery more suited to providing services in today's diverse communities. Traditional models of service delivery, common in many agencies, are not suited for serving many immigrants, gay men and lesbians, many people of color, and others with significant cultural differences. An examination of domestic violence in the lesbian and gay communities highlights this problem. A description of one program developed to provide services to battered lesbians provides the basis for the development of a new model of service delivery. This "different" model, more appropriate for these more diverse communities, is described here.