Social Workers as Game Changers
Confronting Complex Social Issues Through Cases

First Edition

Laura Lewis

Other Titles in:
Social Policy (General) | Social Work Practice (General)

March 2017 | 256 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Designed to promote active, hands-on learning, this unique book is composed of 11 chapter-length case studies that prepare students to address the types of challenging social issues they will encounter as practicing social workers. The cases—covering topics from immigration, gangs, and education to race, mental health, and end-of-life care—illustrate the interrelationship between the micro, mezzo, and macro levels and facilitate not just recall of facts, but also higher-level learning. Each case allows students to confront realistic scenarios as they evaluate, analyze, and synthesize information, resulting in more engaged and informed classroom discussions.

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Introduction

Chapter 1: Understanding the Complexities, Costs, and Benefits Surrounding Immigration Policy: Tough Decisions for Families and Policy Makers

Chapter 2: Community Organizing Concepts and Principles: Rebuilding Holyoke From the Ground Up

Chapter 3: Achieving Racial Equality: Education, Housing, Health, and Justice . . . A Long Way to Go

Chapter 4: End-of-Life Care, Costs, Concerns, and Conflict: Too Much of the Wrong Kind of Care?

Chapter 5: Mental Illness: Community Supports and Community Dilemmas

Chapter 6: Perplexing Challenges in Child Protective Services: Life on the Front Line

Chapter 7: Society’s Evolving Understanding of Chemical Addiction and the Subsequent Changes in Policy and Treatment Approaches: The Struggle to Stay Clean

Chapter 8: Understanding the Draw of Gangs, Consequences for Neighborhoods, and Determining an Effective Response: The North Side Crew

Chapter 9: Eminent Domain, Urban Renewal, and NIMBY: Is There a Win-Win Solution?

Chapter 10: Homelessness and the Housing First Debate: Wrestling With the Issues

Chapter 11: Examining the Elementary and Secondary Education System in the United States and One Family’s Dilemma: Fight or Flight

Social Workers as Game Changers by Laura Lewis is outstanding – I had high expectations and it exceeded all of them. The cases are current and very well developed. I will definitely be using it through all of my Practice courses.

Gayle Mallinger

Western Kentucky University