Social Work and Social Welfare: An Invitation (New Directions in Social Work)

Social Work and Social Welfare: An Invitation is a nationally recognized, best-selling text and unique website for US Introductory Social Work and Social Welfare courses. It provides students with the knowledge, skills, and values that are essential for working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and public policy in a variety of practice settings.

This new third edition is an up-to-date profile of the world in which today’s social workers practice, with current demographic, statistical, legislative, policy, and research information; sensitive discussions of contemporary ethical issues; and new first-person narratives from social workers in a variety of fields. The call to become engaged in some of society’s most challenging issues is clearer than in previous editions.

Marla Berg-Weger is a professor in the School of Social Work at Saint Louis University, Missouri, where she also serves as the Director of Field Education. Dr. Berg-Weger has been a social worker for over three decades and holds social work degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Her social work practice experience includes public social welfare services, domestic violence services, mental health, and health care social work. Her research and writing focuses on social work practice and gerontological social work, particularly in the areas of older adult mobility and family caregiving. With Julie Birkenmaier, she co-authored the textbook The Practicum Companion for Social Work: Integrating Class and Field Work. With Birkenmaier and Marty DeWeese, she co-authored another book in this series, Contemporary Social Work Practice. She is the past president of the Association of Gerontology in Social Work and currently serves as the Secretary. She also serves as the Chair of the Journal of Gerontological Social Work Editorial Board Executive Committee. She is a Fellow in the Gerontological Society of America, a Co-Convenor of the Society’s Transportation Interest Group, and a member of the Publications Committee.