Innovations in Practice and Service Delivery Across the Lifespan

High rates of poverty and homelessness, especially among women and children; increasing alcohol and drug abuse problems; escalating teen violence; and inadequate services for the chronically mentally ill are just a few of the problems that human service professionals encounter. Unfortunately, traditional approaches and programs often fail these vulnerable populations, particularly since their multiple needs often require a multidimensional approach. New innovations in practice and service delivery are clearly needed, but the current literature is often idiosyncratic, fragmented, and does not offer a systematic approach to the issues and problems.
Innovations in Practice and Service Delivery Across the Lifespan is the first book in Oxford's new social work series Innovations in Practice and Service Delivery with Vulnerable Populations. With chapters written by leading scholars in social work and related fields in mental health and human services, it presents an interdisciplinary approach to the examination of innovations in direct practice and service delivery, synthesizing the development and application of knowledge concerning practice and delivery across both problems and populations. This volume allows innovations in direct practice and service which have relevance across problem areas or groups to be shared by students and practitioners dealing with a range of problems across the lifespan.
The book is divided into four parts, beginning with a conceptual overview of theory developed by the editors for the analysis of innovations in practice and delivery. The remaining sections focus on children and adolescents, adults and the elderly. Each section defines the relevant population; discusses those issues in practice and service delivery where innovation is needed; presents an overview of the types of innovations which are taking place; and outlines the implications for practice, service delivery, policy and research.
The editors' aim is to introduce practitioners and students to innovations that have been successful, including empirical evidence to support their conclusions, and thus to provide them with strategies that they can implement in their own practice and research. Current literature on helping vulnerable populations is extremely segmented and offers little in the way of systematic, research-bsed analysis of innovations. This books lays out a conceptual framework for doing just this, and offers an analysis of some of the newest techniques for working with people from infancy through old age.
The book is ideal for social work practice theory courses, continuing education for professionals, and as a supplement to practice courses, while individual chapters can be used for specialized practice courses.

David Biegel and Arthur Blum are both at Case Western Reserve University.