Contemporary Issues in Human Services: Special Topics for Clinical Practice, Public Health, and Social Justice

This text informs human services students and practitioners on complex contemporary issues in the human services, public health, and clinical social work fields, allowing them to be more agile and better‑prepared agents and leaders of change.

Dr. James C. Wadley brings together a collection of critical perspectives from the top human service practitioners, administrators, advocates, and leaders in the field. Chapters consider contemporary issues such as social justice, sexuality, ability and disability, policy formation, pedagogy, mental health, sociopolitical perspectives, constructions of race and gender, and social positioning and identities. This text helps readers in human services, public health, and social work fields expand their understanding about service access and coordination, resource delivery, and the potential implications for a variety of populations and settings. Each chapter offers an opportunity to engage professionals, students, clients, and constituents in meaningful dialogue about sensitive issues that impact a range of communities and individuals. This book also offers a wealth of strategies, insights, interventions, and suggestions for students and practitioners to consider while working with a myriad of populations.

This book is an invaluable resource for human service professionals, social workers, policymakers, mental health practitioners, and community behavioral health professionals, as well as undergraduate and graduate students.

James C. Wadley, PhD, is a professor in the Human Services Department at Lincoln University. He is the Editor‑in‑Chief of the Journal of Black Sexuality and Relationships and founder and principal of the Association of Black Sexologists and Clinicians.