Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice: Building Social Work Practice Skills

Prepare future social workers with tools to address disparities across diverse settings. 

This essential text provides justice-informed knowledge, skills, and values for social work practice. It examines structural and systemic impacts to prepare students for creating meaningful change across diverse practice arenas. Each chapter is grounded in key concepts and theory, linking contemporary practice to historical policies that have perpetuated inequity. Through this foundation, the book offers clear, practical knowledge and actionable guidance. With applied exercises, practitioner insights, and experiential learning opportunities, the book helps students apply social, racial, economic, and environmental justice in practice. Designed for BSW, MSW, and DSW courses, the text emphasizes sustainable practice through self-care and reflective engagement. Know, use, and test your understanding of course content with CourseConnect―an interactive learning platform included with your print purchase. 

What’s New: 

• New chapters on racial justice, child welfare, and self-care for sustainable practice
• Expanded case examples and voices from practitioners in the field
• Updated applied exercises and reflective learning opportunities
• Stronger integration of systemic analysis across practice arenas 

Key Features: 

• Coverage of 13 essential practice systems through a justice lens
• Students gain advanced skills to identify and challenge systemic injustice in practice
• Includes engaging tools: case studies, exercises, field insights, and learning outcomes
• Written by respected scholars advancing social, racial, economic, and environmental justice in social work
• Instructor Resources include Instructor’s Manual with Learning Activities for each chapter, Instructor Chapter PowerPoints, Test Bank, Sample Syllabus, and Transition Guide from First to Second Edition 

Maximize Your Learning With CourseConnect―Included With Your Print Purchase! Enhance your textbook experience with CourseConnect, an interactive learning platform designed to help you engage more deeply, study smarter, and achieve success in your course. 

• Master Complex Concepts―Interactive learning activities simplify concepts and improve comprehension and retention.
• Track Your Progress―Real-time analytics and self-assessments help you identify strengths and focus on areas for improvement.
• Study Anytime, Anywhere―Enjoy seamless access to your eBook and study tools whenever and wherever you need them. 
• Help Whenever You Need It―Course Coach provides answers, summaries, and practice questions to keep you moving forward and build confidence. 

Through purchase of this product, you'll get a license to continuous access to this CourseConnect course for as long as you need it, subject to our Terms of Use. 

Kalea Benner, PhD, MSW, LCSW, is dean and professor with the School of Social Work at Indiana University.  

Diane N. Loeffler, PhD, MSW, is a senior lecturer in the University of Kentucky’s College of Social Work, a member of the Lewis Honors College Faculty, and a faculty affiliate of the Appalachian Center and Appalachian Studies Program. 

Natalie D. Pope, PhD, MSW, is an associate professor and PhD program director in the College of Social Work at the University of Kentucky.