A solid, theory-to-practice guide to contemporary mezzo and macro social work
Written by a renowned team of scholars, Social Work Practice with Groups, Communities, and Organizations focuses on the contemporary theory and practice of social work. Each chapter delves deeply into the key theoretical considerations surrounding a particular practice area, exploring the clinical implications of each. Spanning the full range of both mezzo and macro practice areas, the authors thoroughly look at the assessment of and interventions with group, community, organizational, and institutional settings.
The most authoritative book in this field, Social Work Practice with Groups, Communities, and Organizations features:
- A focus on evidence-based approaches to assessment and intervention for each practice area discussed
- Comprehensive coverage of the most important new and emerging practice technologies in mezzo and macro social work
- Current and emerging demographic, social, political, and economic trends affecting mezzo and macro practice
- An array of pedagogical aids, including Key Terms, Review Questions for Critical Thinking, and Online Resources
- Content closely aligned with social work accreditation standards (EPAS)
Providing a solid review of the entire scope of contemporary mezzo and macro social work practice, Social Work Practice with Groups, Communities, and Organizations is both an indispensable educational text for students and a valuable working resource for practitioners who work with groups, communities, and organizations of all sizes.
Table of Contents:
Preface vii
About the Editors viii
Contributors ix
Chapter 1 Assessment of Groups 1
D. Mark Ragg
Historical Background 2
Summary of Current Evidence and Application to Group Assessment 4
Identified Needs for New Research 26
Key Terms 27
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 27
Online Resources 28
References 28
Chapter 2 Group Work: A Critical Addition to the Social Work Repertoire 41
Lena Dominelli
Group Work: A New Method of Intervention with Deep Historical Roots 42
Group Work Models for Practice 50
Conclusion 55
Key Terms 56
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 56
Online Resources 56
References 56
Chapter 3 Assessment of Communities 59
Don M. Fuchs
Historical Background and Theory 59
Assessment in Practice: Discovering and Documenting the Life of a Community 65
Limitations of the Evidence 73
Implications for Social Work on Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Levels 74
Future Directions 75
Conclusion 76
Key Terms 76
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 76
Online Resources 77
References 77
Chapter 4 Intervention with Communities 81
Michael Reisch
Focus of Community Intervention: What Does Community Mean? 83
Historical Background 84
Current Evidence-Based Intervention with Communities 89
Limitations to the Evidence 102
Implications for Social Work 103
Conclusion 105
Key Terms 107
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 107
Online Resources 108
References 121
Chapter 5 Assessment of Organizations 131
Michael J. Austin and Catherine M. Vu
Worker’s Perspective 132
Management’s Perspective 139
Funder’s Perspective 145
Client’s Perspective 150
Conclusion 153
Key Terms 155
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 155
Online Resources 155
References 155
Chapter 6 Intervention with Organizations 159
Charles A. Glisson
Social, Strategic, and Technical Dimensions of Organizational Context 161
Work Environments of Social Services Organizations 162
Using Planned Intervention to Change Organizational Contexts 163
Historical Background 164
From Organizational Development to Change Management 168
The ARC Model as a Framework for Implementing Organizational Interventions 170
Limitations of the Evidence 179
Implications for Social Work Practice 181
Conclusion 181
Note 182
Key Terms 183
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 183
Online Resources 183
References 183
Chapter 7 Assessment of Institutions 191
Heather K. Horton, Brian D. Roland, Katharine Briar-Lawson, and William Rowe
Historical Background 192
Assessment and Early Institutions 194
Emerging Federal Role in Institutional Reforms and Assessment 196
Characteristics of Asylums 197
The Anti-Institutionalization Movement 198
Normalization, the Least Restrictive Environment, and Recovery 198
Current Frameworks for Assessing Institutions 201
Organizational Effectiveness 204
Quality 208
Evidence-Based Assessment of Institutions 211
Implications at the Macro, Mezzo, and Micro Levels 217
Conclusion 219
Key Terms 219
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 219
Online Resources 220
References 221
Chapter 8 Intervention with Institutions 229
Leon Fulcher
Historical Background 231
Summary of Contemporary Evidence-Based Intervention with Institutions 237
Limitations of the Evidence 248
Implications for Social Work Practice 252
Conclusion 255
Notes 256
Key Terms 256
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 256
Online Resources 257
References 258
Author Index 265
Subject Index 272
