This classic social work practice text blends ecosystems and strengths-based approaches along with diversity competent practice into a change process that social workers can use with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.   This classic text provides students with a solid foundation for generalist social work practice. It has a strong theoretical framework that reflects modern theory and methods used in social work practice today. The Ninth Edition builds on previous editions developing a client-centered empowerment approach to working with diverse populations with an emphasis on building and utilizing strengths and resources in the ecosystem.

Table of Contents:
Each chapter concludes with “Summary,” “Questions,” and “Suggested Readings.” Preface. I. PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE. 1. Social Work as a Response to Concern/Need.   From to Concern to Need. Need. Cause-Function Debate. Common Human Needs. Social Functioning.   2. Social Work as a Profession.   Social Work as a Profession. Development of Social Work Knowledge.   3. Social Work as a Creative Blending of Knowledge, Values, and Skills.   Diversity Competent Practice. Knowledge. Values. Skills. Creative Blending of Knowledge, Values, and Skills.   4. Social Work as a Change Process.   Social Work as a Process of Facilitating Growth and Change. Social Work as Intervention into Human Transactions. II. THE INTERACTIONAL PROCESS AND THE ECOSYSTEM. 5. The Worker.   Knowledge of Self. The Helping Person. Accountablity. The Multiperson Helping System.   6. The Client.   Becoming a Client. Understanding the Individual Client. Client Systems in Generalist Social Work Practice.   7. Environment.   Person in Environment as an Ecosystem. The Community as a Social System. Understanding the Agency. Transactions between Person and Ecosystem. Working in a Bureaucracy.   8. Interaction and Engagement.   Engagement and Formation of a One-to-One Action System. Relationship. Communication. The Interview: An Interactional Tool. III. THE SOCIAL WORK PROCESS. 9. Assessment.   The Assessment Process. Selection of the Client System. Important Elements of the Assessment Phase. Stages in the Assessment Phase. Transactional Assessment. Needs Assessment.   10. Planning.   Components of a Plan. Factors Affecting a Plan of Action. The Planning Process. Agreement between Worker and Client.   11. Direct and Indirect Practice Actions.   Action to Enable Clients to Use Available Resources. Action to Empower and Enable Clients. Action in Response to Crisis. Action That Is Supportive. Use of Activity as an Interventive Strategy. Action as Mediation. Influence. Environmental Change. Coordination of Services.   12. Evaluation and Termination.   Kinds of Evaluation. Single System Design and Research Techniques in Evaluation. Evaluation during Phases of the Change Process. Kinds of Termination. Planned Termination with Individuals. Components of Termination.   IV. MULTIPERSON SYSTEMS AND GOOD PRACTICES IN GENERALIST PRACTICE.   13. Generalist Practice with Families.   The Change Process with Families.   14. Generalist Practice with Groups.   Group Purpose. Assessment with Small Groups. Planning with Small Groups. Direct Practice Actions with Small Groups. Evaluation and Termination with Small Groups.   15. Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities.   Macropractice and Social Justice. Needs Assessment. Program Planning and Resource Development. Changing Organizations from Within. The Social Worker as a Group Member. Involvement of Influentials. Networking. Cause Advocacy. Community Organization.   16. Models and Good Practices in Generalist Social Work Practice.   Best Practices and Empirically Based Practice. A Model for Good Practices in Generalist Social Work Practice. Models of Social Work Practice. Good Practices in Generalist Social Work.   Appendix: Chapter Notes.   Glossary.   Author Index.   Subject Index.