Social Work and Social Welfare: An Introduction (with InfoTrac)

This revision of the authors' best-selling text continues to inspire student interest in the profession of social work, while helping them to understand the role that the profession plays in the social welfare system. The authors' systems/ecological approach to understanding social welfare focuses on specific social welfare areas in which social workers play major roles in policy and practice. The authors encourage students to consider the many reasons social problems occur and to begin to think critically about the issues in a new way, drawing on the book's coverage of the history, values, economic, political, and cultural factors that affect social work and social welfare. The book gives students a broad understanding of the profession of social work itself, including a brief history of its origin, a discussion of various theoretical principles, as well as applications of these principles to common social problems.

Rosalie Ambrosino is professor and interim chair of the Department of Social Work at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she teaches policy and cultural competence. She previously taught research, human behavior, and practice courses in child welfare. She also served on the faculty and as head of the BSW Program at the University of Texas at Austin for 18 years. Dr. Ambrosino has extensive social work experience in settlement houses/community centers, child welfare, school social work, and administration. She received her Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin, her master's degree at Antioch University, and her bachelor's degree at the University of Minnesota.

Joseph Heffernan taught policy and research courses at the University of Texas at Austin before retiring. He has significant macro-level experience with policy analysis, with particular emphasis on poverty and economic issues relating to social welfare.

Guy Shuttlesworth, a noted gerontology authority, is a professor emeritus from the University of Texas at Austin, where he taught policy and practice courses as well as developed a gerontology program. His research interests include long-term care and rural America.

Robert Ambrosino is a lecturer at the University of Texas at San Antonio. A seasoned instructor in policy, research, community practice courses, and transformational leadership, he has also taught at St. Edwards University in Austin and the University of Texas at Austin. With his extensive experience in macro practice, Dr. Ambrosino served as deputy commissioner of the Texas Department of Human Services, developed Texas food stamp electronic benefits cards, and worked as executive director of a statewide Texas nonprofit family and youth services agency. He received his Ph.D. from State University of New York at Albany and his bachelor's degree from Siena College.