School Social Work: Theory to Practice

Featuring contributions from leaders in the field of social work, co-editors Bye and Alvarez developed this text to present a balance of theory and practice. Best practices, ecological and strengths perspectives, and cultural competence are key themes throughout the book. Together with examples, case studies and a book companion website, the text offers students practical tools and skills to help them translate current research and theory into practice.

Lynn Bye, MSW, Ph.D. is an associate professor of social work at the University of Minnesota¿Duluth, where she teaches the school social work course along with other practice courses. Prior to teaching at the college level, Dr. Bye was a school social worker and received recognition as Minnesota School Social Worker of the Year. She has a long and active involvement with the Minnesota School Social Workers Association, having served as both president and treasurer of the organization. Her involvement in the field of school social work continues through her work with the Minnesota School Social Work Summer Institutes and her current research on school social work.

Michelle Alvarez, MSW, Ed.D, LCSW, C-SSWS is an assistant professor of social work at the University of Southern Indiana. She coordinates and teaches courses in the university's school social work specialization. In July 2003 she was appointed to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) School Social Work Section Committee and is now the chair of the committee (as of July 2005). She was elected to the School Social Work Association of American (SSWAA) Board in October 2003. She is editor of the NASW SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK SECTION CONNECTION Newsletter and is a consulting editor for the NASW journal CHILDREN & SCHOOLS as well as the JOURNAL OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK. Most importantly, Dr. Alvarez is an advocate for the field of school social work and students!