By making explicit linkages both to social work practice and to the history of management thought, covering the rapidly expanding field of nonprofit studies, and incorporating management approaches from Henri Fayol's principles to Total Quality Management, this pioneering work grounds the practice of social administration in the profession of social work and agency-based practice better than any text presently available. The book also addresses ways in which the strategic vision of social administrators can be used to build humane and lasting welfare institutions, further social justice, and confront oppression.

To accomplish this task, the authors blend several perspectives: social administration as management, as a form of social work practice emphasizing professional and community leadership, as decision making influenced by values and ethics and as institution building. Divided into an introduction, an afterword, and twenty-five topical chapters, "Social Administration" discusses issues of executive and program leadership as well as such environmental concerns as community, social agency, and a range of special topics, including accountability, ethics, contracting, and working with boards.

To some, the news that rural America still exists may be a surprise. While rural areas have undergone dramatic changes over the last half-century, traditional social problems persist. Moreover, many of the social issues and problems associated with urban populations-from AIDS to drug addiction-are also found in contemporary rural America. This comprehensive and much-needed volume explores the particular challenges associated with rural social work. With contributions from practitioners, researchers, and academics, this work synthesizes and analyzes current trends in rural social work practice and considers the most effective ways to serve rural communities.

Following an introduction defining what is meant by "rural," the contributors consider the history and development of rural social work from its beginnings to the present-day influence of the Internet and other new information technologies in helping clients. Other recent trends examined include the work of nonprofit organizations and the effects of welfare reform on poor rural areas. In addressing various aspects of intervention in rural social work, the authors explore the multiple roles of rural social agency administrators and efforts at building stronger communities through community practice.

Coverage of specific client populations and fields of practice includes services for rural mental healthcare; the chronically mentally ill; healthcare for minorities; and the challenges facing the elderly in rural areas. The contributors also consider issues affecting gays and lesbians living in rural communities and the role of religiosity and social support in the well-being of HIV/AIDS clients. The book concludes with aconsideration of the unique issues associated with educating social workers for rural practice.