Introduction to Social Work

Michelle Martin has over 25 years experience working in advocacy, policy and social work. She has a PhD in Peace Studies from the University of Bradford in the UK, an MSocSci in global policy studies from the University of Bristol in the UK, and an MSW from University of Illinois, Jane Addams College of Social Work in Chicago. Michelle is the author of three books, Introduction to Human Services: Through the Eyes of Practice Settings; Advocacy for Social Justice: A Global Perspective, and Introduction to Social Work: Through the Eyes of Practice Settings, and several articles focusing primarily on social policy and global issues related to human rights violations and conflict. Her area of research focuses on the internationalization of global conflict, including the history of ethnonationalist conflict, and civil war and genocide in Rwanda, with a focus on the role of social media in conflict and peace processes. She has also extensively studied forced migration and conflict-generated diaspora and their engagement in peace and conflict processes. Michelle is also interested in human rights mechanisms and the role of the United Nations in responding to human rights violations, as well as the relationship between emerging technologies, globalization and global conflict situations. Michelle is particularly committed to advocating for marginalized and at-risk populations on a global level. Michelle teaches at Dominican University in the Chicago area.

Part I: Foundational Issues in Social Work Policy and Practice

1. Introduction to the Social Work Profession: Purpose, Preparation, Practice, and Theoretical Orientations
The Nature of Social Work and Its Need in Society
Social Workers: Educational Requirements and Professional Standards
How Do Social Workers Practice and What Do They Do?
Theoretical Frameworks Used in Social Work
Summary

2. The Evolution of Social Welfare Policy: Effect on Social Work Practice
The History of Social Welfare Policy and Provision in Europe and the United States
The Feudal System of the Middle Ages
Poor Laws of England
The Elizabethan Poor Laws
Charity Organization Society Movement in the United States
Jane Addams and the Settlement House Movement
The New Deal and the Social Security Act of 1935
Influences of African American Social Workers
Gay Rights: From Marriage Equality to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal
Welfare Reform and the Emergence of Neoliberal Economic Policies
The Christian Right
The Tea Party Movement
A Time for Change: The Election of the First African American President
Summary

3. Generalist Skills and Intervention Strategies: Effecting Meaningful and Ethical Change
Ethics and the Social Work Profession
What Does It Mean to Be Ethical?
The Conflict Between Ethical Standards and Emotional Desires
Resolving Ethical Dilemmas
Cultural Influences on the Perception of Ethical Behavior
Ethical Standards in Social Work
Informed Consent and Confidentiality
Skills and Competencies
Sympathy and Empathy
Boundary Setting
The Psychosocial Assessment
Bowen's Family Genogram
Psychological Testing
Continuum of Mental Health and Mental Illness
Generalist Techniques for Direct Practice
Task-Centered Casework
Perceptual Reframing, Emotional Regulation, Networking, and Advocacy
Cultural Competence and Diversity
Social Work Practice on a Macro Level
At-risk, Oppressed, and Disenfranchised Populations
A Human Rights Framework: Inalienable Rights for All Human Beings
Shared Goals of Effective Macropractice Techniques
Common Aspects of Macro Practice
Summary

Part II: Social Work in Action–Common Practice Settings

4. Child Welfare Services: Overview and Purpose of Child and Family Services Agencies
Introduction to Child and Family Services
The History of Child Welfare in the United States
Slavery and Child Labor
Child Labor During the Industrial Era: Children and Factories
The Orphan Problem and the History of the Foster Care System in Early America
Early Orphan Asylums
The Orphan Trains
Jane Addams and the Fight for Child Labor Laws
Overview of the Current U.S. Child Welfare System
Getting into the System
Current Legislation Impacting the U.S. Child Welfare System
Child Abuse Investigations
When to Intervene: Models for Decision Making
Working With Children in Placement
Working With Biological Families of Children in Placement
Working With Foster Children: Common Clinical Issues
Reunification
Family Preservation
Ethnic Minority Populations and Multicultural Considerations
Placing Children of Color in Caucasian Homes
Native Americans and the U.S. Child Welfare System
Summary

5. Adolescent Services
Adolescence: A New Stage of Development?
Developmental Perspectives of Adolescence
Common Psychosocial Issues and the Role of the Social Worker
Adolescent Rebellion
Depression, Anxiety, and Deliberate Self-harm
Suicide Risk in Adolescence
Eating Disorders
Chronic and Severe Mental Illness: Schizophrenia in Adolescence
Practice Settings Specific to Adolescent Services
Multicultural Considerations
Summary

6. Social Work and Older Adults
The Aging of America: Changing Demographics
Old and Old-Old: A Developmental Perspective
Successful Aging
Current Issues Affecting Older Adults and the Role of the Social Worker
Ageism
Housing
Homelessness and the Older Adult Population
Adjustment to Retirement
Grandparents Parenting
Depression
Dementia
Elder Abuse
Legislation Affecting Older Adults
Practice Settings Serving Older Adults
Special Populations
Summary

7. Mental Health and Mental Illness
The History of Mental Health Treatment in the United States
The Deinstitutionalization of the Mentally Ill
Common Mental Illnesses and Psychosocial Issues
Serious Mental Disorders Diagnosed on Axis I
Serious Mental Disorders Diagnosed on Axis II
Mental Health Counseling Interventions
Clinical Diagnoses
Common Mental Health Practice Settings
Mental Illness and Special Populations
Ethnic Minority Populations
Military Personnel
The Homeless Population
Prisoner Populations: The Criminalization of the Mentally Ill
Current Legislation Affecting Access to Mental Health Services and Mental Health Parity
Summary

8. Homelessness
History of Homelessness in the United States
A Snapshot of Homelessness
Gauging the Scope of the Problem
The Many Causes of Homelessness
The Rise of Homelessness in Single-mother Families
Homeless Shelter Living: Families with Children
Homeless Children: School Attendance and Academic Performance
Runaway and Homeless Youth
Single Homeless Men: Mental Illness and Substance Abuse
Older Adult Homeless Population
Homelessness Due to Natural Disasters
Working with Homeless Populations: The Role of the Social Worker
Common Housing Assistance Practice Settings
Summary

9. Healthcare and Hospice
Social Work in Hospitals and Other Healthcare Settings
Crisis and Trauma Counseling
Single Visits and Rapid Assessment
Working with Patients with HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS and the Latino Population
Three-pronged Approach to Working With the HIV/AIDS Population
The U.S. Healthcare Crisis: A Legislative Response
Ethical Considerations for Social Workers in Healthcare Settings
The Hospice Movement
The History of Hospice: The Neglect of the Dying
The Hospice Philosophy
The Hospice Team and the Role of the Hospice Social Worker
Intervention Strategies: Counseling the Terminally Ill and Their Family Members
Resisting the Reality of Death
Planning for the Death
The Spiritual Component of Dying
Effective Bereavement Counseling
Multicultural Considerations
Ethical Considerations for Social Workers Working in Hospice Settings
Summary

10. School Social Work
The History of Social Work in the Public School System
School Social Work: The Traditional Model, Roles, Functions, and Core Competencies
Interprofessional Collaboration: Working with Other Mental Health Professionals Within the Public School Setting
The Plight of Urban Schools
Diversity in the Schools: Developing Cultural Competence
Working With Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Questioning Youth
The Terrorist Threat and "Islamophobia"
Depression and Other Psychosocial Concerns
Substance Abuse in the Schools
Child Abuse and Neglect: Protecting Students
Bullying
Teenage Pregnancy
Common Ethical Dilemmas Facing School Social Workers
Summary

11. Religion, Spirituality, and Faith-based Agencies
The Historical Role of Religion in Caring for the Poor and Disadvantaged
The Role of Spirituality in Social Work
Faith-based Agencies: Social Service Delivery from Different Faith Traditions
Legislation and Policy Affecting Faith-based Agencies
The Benefits of Faith-based Services
Religious Diversity in Faith-based Organizations
The Role of the Social Worker: Social Services and Intervention Strategies
Jewish Social Service Agencies
Christian Social Services Agencies
Islamic Social Services Agencies
The Mindfulness Movement
Summary

12. Violence, Victim Advocacy, and Corrections
Forensic Social Work: Working with Survivors and Perpetrators of Violence
Intimate Partner Violence
The Nature of IPV: The Cycle of Violence
Working with Survivors of IPV
IPV Practice Settings
The Prosecution of IPV
Batterer Intervention Programs
Sexual Assault
Why People Commit Rape
The Psychological Impact of Sexual Assault
Male-on-Male Sexual Assault
Common Practice Settings: Rape Crisis Centers
Working with Survivors of Violent Crime
The Victims' Bill of Rights and Victim-Witness Assistance
Survivors of Homicide
Common Psychosocial Issues Among Survivors of Violent Crime
Working with Perpetrators of Crime
Gang Activity
Forensic Social Work Practice Settings Focusing on Gang Involvement
Social Workers in the Corrections System
Disparity in Sentencing: The Incarceration of Ethnic Minorities
Psychosocial Issues in the Prison Population: The Role of the Social Worker
Mental Health Programs in Correctional Facilities
Prison and Pregnancy
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS
Barriers to Treatment
Summary

13. International Social Work
The Global Community
HIV/AIDS Pandemic
Crimes Against Women and Children
Female Genital Mutilation
Human Sex Trafficking
Orphans and Vulnerable Youth: Street Children
Child Labor and Economic Injustice
Indigenous People
Refugees
International Disaster Relief
The Effectiveness of International Disaster Relief and the Role of the Social Worker
Providing Psychosocial Support for Disaster Survivors
Crimes Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Populations
Government-Sanctioned Torture and Abuse
Genocide and Rape as a Weapon of War
International Social Work Practice in Action
Summary

Epilogue: The Future of Social Work in an Ever-Changing World