Today, the profession of social work is confronted with a number of critical issues. Many of these relate to theory development: the evaluation of practice effectiveness; the appropriate role of social work in policy development at the state, national, and international levels; emerging concerns about social work education; and so on. This volume seeks to draw together the current thinking on these issues, analyze them, and project areas for further analysis.Written by leading scholars in social work, this volume will be of value to social work educators, practitioners, students, and others in the social policy arena.

An analysis of the key contemporary concerns in social work theory.

IllustrationsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Scanning for Critical Issues in Social Work by Roland G. MeinertThe Social Development Model as an Organizing Framework for Social Work Practice by James O. BillupsDirect Practice: Model Framework for the Past, Present and Future by Donald R. Bardill and Jannah J. HurnA Postmodern Justification for Holism in Social Work Practice by John W. MurphyAssessing Competence for Social Work Practice: The Role of Standardized Tests by Bruce A. ThyerBreaking Away: The Potential and Promise of a Strengths-Based Approach to Social Work Practice by William Patrick Sullivan and Charles A. RappToward a Politically Acceptable Reformulation of the American Welfare State by Howard Jacob Karger and David StoeszIssues in Social Work Education by Miriam DinermanAn Exploration of Factors Explaining the Distinction and Achievement Levels of Social Work Editorial Boards by John T. PardeckTransnational Strategies for Social Work: Toward Effective Reciprocal Exchanges by James MidgleyIndex