Designed to give you a solid introduction to the profession of social work, INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL WELFARE, 5th Edition helps you understand the issues that social workers address every day. Using a clear and engaging writing style, author Karen K. Kirst-Ashman presents a balanced overview within a unifying theme of critical thinking that will train you to use evaluative skills in your coursework and beyond. In addition, you'll study more efficiently and effectively with accompanying digital resources that provide you with opportunities to complete self-assessments as well as pre- and post-tests for each chapter. Thoughtful case studies throughout the text help to prepare you for your career by showing you what social work practice looks like in different contexts and with different populations.

Organized around the coherent and cohesive Generalist Intervention Model, this guide to generalist social work practice incorporates the knowledge, skills, and professional values you need to work with individuals and families, as well as the foundation to work with groups, communities, and organizations. Updated to reflect current topics and practice, the book focuses on micro levels of social work practice while also discussing the interrelationship among the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Part of the Brooks/Cole Empowerment Series, UNDERSTANDING GENERALIST PRACTICE, 8th Edition, clearly identifies content related to the latest Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) with icons throughout the text. Learning objectives, which are correlated to chapter headings and summaries, guide your reading and reinforce your understanding.

Zastrow and Kirst-Ashman's UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT, 9E, International Edition looks at lifespan through the lens of social work theory and practice, covering human development and behavior theories within the context of family, organizational, and community systems. Using a chronological lifespan approach, the book presents separate chapters on biological, psychological, and social impacts at the different lifespan stages with an emphasis on strengths and empowerment. As part of the Brooks/Cole Empowerment Series, this edition is completely up to date and thoroughly integrates the core competencies and recommended practice behaviors outlined in the 2008 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) set by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

The main objective of social work is to facilitate positive changes in individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The first step in this change process is accurate assessment - and that's the primary focus of UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT. Focusing on individual behavior within families and other systems, this book will help you understand the underlying reasons why people act the way they do. You'll learn about biological, psychological, and social development at different lifespan stages, as well as about the benefits of strengths and empowerment approaches to social work. To further prepare you for your career, this edition's content aligns with the core competencies and recommended behaviors outlined in the current Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) set by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Get a practical, comprehensive, and clearly written introduction to the fundamentals of macro practice with EMPOWERMENT SERIES: GENERALIST PRACTICE WITH ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES, 7th Edition. Updated throughout, the book reflects the Council on Social Work Education's (CSWE) latest accreditation standards as well as contemporary issues in social work literature. The authors emphasize the practical skills you'll need to work effectively in the area of macro practice -- providing leadership, working with supervisors, managing conflict, working with the media, using new technologies, fundraising, grant writing, and managing stress. You'll learn how to use one-on-one and group practice skills for community and organizational change. Realistic vignettes and practical features -- hands-on tips, sample forms, and a running case study -- deepen your expertise and enhance your performance in the field. This edition is available with the MindTap online learning solution.

Go straight to the heart of what social work is all about--and learn how to promote positive change by building upon the strengths of macro systems. In HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN THE MACRO SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT, 5th Edition, Karen Kirst-Ashman and Grafton Hull provide a comprehensive overview of the subject while citing real-world practice and case studies to illustrate theories and their application. They focus on empowerment--encouraging communities, organizations and groups to promote change from the inside out. They also prompt you to think critically about how macro systems affect human behavior, and ultimately, how those systems shape the practice of social work. Up-to-date coverage of environmental justice, cognitive restructuring, building effective teams, faith-based social services and health care and many other topics reflects the latest developments and concerns in the field.

Karen K. Kirst-Ashman's introductory book enhances the reader's ability to grasp the essence and spirit of generalist social work and the issues in social welfare that social workers address every day. Giving those contemplating a career in social work a solid introduction to the profession, Kirst-Ashman presents a balanced introductory look within a unifying theme of critical thinking that trains readers to be more evaluative of key concepts. The topics covered include practice concepts, social welfare policy concepts, history and current state of the profession, the contexts of practice and populations served, and professional development.