Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work: The U.S. in Global Perspective

This introductory social work book provides both a theoretical and applied overview of the U.S. social welfare system, with international perspectives throughout. Other strengths include themes of empowerment theory and practice and an ecosystems framework. Part I is devoted to the history of social work in the U.S. as well as issues of economic oppression, social oppression, human rights, and restorative justice. Part II is devoted to social work across the life cycle.

Katherine van Wormer is a professor of social work at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls. Her international experience includes community work in Catholic areas in Northern Ireland, where she taught English and actively participated in the Irish civil rights movement and campaign for nuclear disarmament. Ultimately becoming a social worker and alcoholism counselor in the United States, Dr. van Wormer was invited to Norway where she was the program director of the Vangseter Treatment Center. She is the author of dozens of articles on substance abuse treatment, women in prison, and social welfare. She is the author and co-author most recently of Addiction Treatment: A Strengths Perspective (2003), Wadsworth, and Confronting Oppression, Restoring Justice: From Policy Analysis to Social Action (2004), CSWE