Social Policy for Effective Practice: A Strengths Approach

by Rosemary Kennedy Chapin, Melinda K Lewis (Contributor)

The fifth edition of Social Policy for Effective Practice offers a rich variety of resources and knowledge foundations to help social work students understand and contend with the continually evolving social policy landscape that surrounds them. The authors have continued their values-based approach and kept the focus on clients' strengths to help students position themselves for effective engagement on new fronts where policy threats and outcomes affect clients' lives in myriad ways.

The new edition comprehensively covers the process of defining need, analyzing social policy, and developing policy, and each chapter builds on the practical knowledge and skills forged from previous ones. New to this edition:



Thorough examination of new policies, including challenges to the Affordable Care Act, voting rights, immigration, women's rights, and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as situations involving substance use, mental health, and economic inequality.



Expanded coverage of shifting demographics, including population diversity and aging.



Increased connections drawn between historical, present, and potential future policy contexts



Updated exercises, exhibits, and social media links in-text and an entire suite of web-based tools found through www.routledgesw.com, including complementary reading suggestions and teaching tips, a full library of lecture slides and exam questions, and EPAS guidelines.

For use as a resource in foundations generalist social policy courses, either at the baccalaureate or master's levels, the new edition of Social Policy for Effective Practice will challenge students to find areas of policy practice that spark their passion and prepare them to think about and use policy practice as a tool that can lead to the changes they care about.

Genres: Social Work, Textbooks, School, Nonfiction

592 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2006

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read a textbook cover to cover before. This is a book on social policy, and it reads like a novel. There is information in this book that is relevant to everyone, and I certainly feel that parts of the book are a must read for everyone in this day and age so they have a clear understanding of the history and politics that have influenced social policies in our world. Highly recommend this book.

[Sarah Mekes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never had to read a textbook cover to cover for a course before, but am I glad I did with this one. Truly engaging foundational text on the history of social policy in America and its ramifications today.

[Liz Grauel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great primer on social policy in the US, including history and application to social work practice.

[unknown · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is okay. A lot of the information could be clearer. I feel like some of the information did not line up in some chapters such as the predicted growth areas of the U.S. population.