Social Work Macro Practice focuses on work with organizations and communities, including planned change approaches and implementation.
This new edition of Social Work Macro Practice has been updated and revised to make it an even stronger and more user-friendly text. The authors have designed the book to mesh well with a variety of contemporary policy texts.
Table of Contents:
Preface
Acknowledgments
PART ONE: VALUES AND HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
Chapter 1: An Introduction to Macro Practice in Social Work
Macro Practice in Context
Experiences of Former Students
What is Macro Practice?
Levels of Involvement in Social Work Practice
A Systematic Approach to Macro Social Work Practice
Interrelationship of Micro and Macro Social Work Practice
The Foundation of Macro Practice
Theories and Models
Values and Ethical Dilemmas
Autonomy
Beneficence
Social Justice
Three Case Examples
Case Example 1: Child Protective Services
Case Example 2: Case Management with Elderly and Disabled Persons
Case Example 3: Displaced Homemaker Services
Surviving the Dilemmas
Professional Identity
Assumptions About Planned Change
Using an Informed Systems Approach to Identify Goals and Outcomes
Valuing Consumer/Collaborator Participation
Embracing One’s Professional Identity by Thinking Critically
Summary
Discussion Questions and Exercises
Suggested Readings
References
Chapter 2: The Historical Roots of Macro Practice
Trends Underlying the Emergence of Social Work Roles
Social Conditions
Population Growth and Immigration
Industrialization
Urbanization
Change in Institutional Structures
Ideological Currents
Oppressed and Disadvantaged Populations
Native Americans
Latinos
African Americans
Asian Americans
Women
Persons with Disabilities
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons
The Development of Social Work
Early Social Work Education
Community Organization and Social Reform
Effects of the Great Depression
Social Work and Social Change
The Organizational Context of Social Work
Contemporary Trends
Social Conditions
Poverty and Welfare Reform
Income Inequality
Patterns of Affiliation and Identification with Community
Changes in Organizations and Delivery Systems
The Information Age
Ideological Currents
Oppressed and Disadvantaged Populations
Terminology
Native Americans
Latinos
African Americans
Asian Americans
Women
Persons with Disabilities
Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, and Transgender Persons
Lingering Problems
The Importance of Change
Summary
Discussion Questions
Suggested Readings
References
PART II: UNDERSTANDING PROBLEMS AND POPULATIONS
Chapter 3: Understanding Community and Organizational Problems
What is Social Work Practice?
The Role of the Social Worker in Macro Practice
The Social Worker’s Entry into an Episode of Macro-Level Change
Guidelines for Planning Change
Exploring the Professional Knowledge Base
Narrowing Down to the Most Useful Data and Information
Understanding Problems and Opportunities
Task 1: Gather Information from Key Informants in the Community or Organization
Identify Major Participants
Identify the Community or Organizational Condition
Identify Relevant Historical Incidents
Task 2: Explore the professional knowledge base on the Condition, Problem, Need or Opportunity
Explore Relevant Theoretical and Research Resources
Collect Supporting Data
Make the Data Meaningful for Interpretation
Task 3: Select Factors that Help Explain the Underlying Causes of the Problem
Summary
Discussion Questions and Exercises
Appendix
Suggested Readings
References
Chapter 4: Understanding Populations
Selecting and Studying a Population
Task 1: Search the Professional Knowledge Base on the Target Population
Understand Concepts and Issues Related to Growth and Development
Identify Relevant Theoretical Perspectives
Task 2: Seek Diverse Perspectives
Listen to Persons Who Have Experienced the Problem
Task 3: Select Factors that Help in Understanding the Target Population
Task 4: Develop a Working Hypothesis of Etiology about the Problem
Review What Was Learned in Both the Problem Analysis and Population Analysis
Select Important Factors Explaining the Current Problem
Prepare a Hypothesis
Summary
Discussion Questions and Exercises
Appendix: Framework for Understanding the Target Population
References
Suggested Readings
PART III: COMMUNITIES AS ARENAS OF CHANGE
Chapter 5: Understanding Communities
Introduction
Defining Community
Types of Communities
Distinguishing Community Theories and Models
Community Functions
When Community Functions Fail
Systems Theory
Strengths and Weaknesses
Human or Population Ecology Theory
Strengths and Weaknesses
Human Behavior Theories
Interaction and Values
Collective Identity
Needs
Strengths and Weaknesses
Theories about Power, Change and Politics
Understanding the Politics of Community Diversity
Strengths and Weaknesses
Contemporary Perspectives
Strengths, Empowerment, and Resiliency Perspectives
Capacity Building and Assets Mapping
Household Units
Natural Support Systems and Social Networks
Self-Help Groups
Voluntary Associations
Community Practice Models
Summary
Discussion Questions and Exercises
Suggested Readings
References
Chapter 6: Assessing Communities
Introduction
Two Community Vignettes
Vignette 1: Canyon City
Encountering the Community
Narrowing the Focus
Mobilizing Resources
Vignette 2: Lakeside
Assessing Major Changes
Witnessing the Impact of Change
Implications of Vignettes
A Framework for Community Assessment
Task 1: Focus on Target Populations
Identify Target Population
Understand Characteristics of Target Population Members
Assess Target Population Needs
Task 2: Determine Community Characteristics
Identify Community Boundaries
Identify Community Strengths, Issues, & Problems
Understand Dominant Values
Task 3: Recognize Community Differences
Identify Formal and Covert Mechanisms of Oppression
Recognize Potential Discrimination
Task 4: Identify Community Structure
Recognize Locations of Power and Resource Availability
Examine Service-Delivery Units
Identify Patterns of Resource Control and Service Delivery
Determine Linkages Between Units
Summary
Discussion Questions and Exercises
Appendix: Framework for Assessing Community
Suggested Readings
References
PART IV: ORGANIZATIONS AS ARENAS OF CHANGE
Chapter 7: Understanding Organizations
Introduction
Defining Organizations
Using Theory
Distinguishing Organizational Theories
Bureaucracy and Organizational Structure
Management Theories
Scientific and Universalistic Management
Human Relations
Theory X and Theory Y
Management by Objectives (MBO)
Organizational Goals and the Natural-System Perspective
Decision Making
Organizations as Open Systems
Understanding Open Systems
Contingency Theory
Contemporary Perspectives
Power and Politics
Organizational Culture
Quality-oriented Management
Evidence-Based Management
Summary and Analysis of Contemporary Theories
Summary
Discussion Questions and Exercises
References
Suggested Readings
Chapter 8: Assessing Human Service Organizations
Introduction
Two Vignettes of Human Service Organizations
Vignette 1: Canyon County Department of Child Welfare
Creating a Dynamic Organization
Dismantling a Dynamic Organization
Involvement of the County Board
Vignette 2: Lakeside Family Services
Historical Development
Major Changes Occur
The Search for Strategies
A Framework for Organizational Assessment
Task 1: Assess the Task Environment
Identify and Assess Relationships with Revenue Sources
Identify and Assess Relationships with Clients and Referral Sources
Identify and Assess Relationships with Other Elements in the Task Environment
Task 2: Assess the Organization Internally
Identify Corporate Authority and Mission
Understand Program Structure and Management Style
Assess the Organization=s Programs and Services
Assess Personnel Policies, Procedures and Practices
Assess Adequacy of Technical Resources and Systems
Summary
Discussion Questions and Exercises
Appendix: Framework for Assessing a Human Service Organization
References
Suggested Readings
PART V: CHANGING MACRO SYSTEMS
Chapter 9: Building Support for the Proposed Change
Designing the Intervention
Task 1: Develop the Intervention Hypothesis
Refine the Working Hypothesis of Etiology
Develop a Working Intervention Hypothesis
Summary of Steps in Developing the Intervention
Hypothesis
Building Support
Task 2: Define Participants
Identify the Initiator System
Identify the Change Agent System
Identify the Client System
Identify the Support System
Identify the Controlling System
Identify the Host and Implementing Systems
Identify the Target System
Identify the Action System
Systems in Interaction
Task 3: Examine System Readiness for Change
Assess General Openness to Change
Identify Anticipated or Actual Response
Determine Availability of Resources
Examine Outside Opposition to Change
Selecting an Approach to Change
Task 4: Select a Change Approach
Select a Policy, Program, Project, Personnel, or Practice Approach
Approaches in Interaction
Summary
Discussion Questions and Exercises
Appendix: Framework for Developing an Intervention
Suggested Readings
References
Chapter 10: Selecting Appropriate Strategies and Tactics
Assessing the Political & Economic Context
Task 1: Assess Political and Interpersonal Considerations
Assess Duration, Intensity, and Frequency
Address Public Image and Relationship
Task 2: Assess Resource Considerations
Determine the Cost of Change
Determine the Cost of Doing Nothing
Task 3: Weigh the Likelihood of Success
Identify Alternative Perspectives
Assess Support from Individuals, Groups, and Organizations
Assess Level of Support
Selecting Strategies and Tactics
Task 4: Select Strategies and Tactics
Consider Strategies
Identify Tactics
Consider the Pros and Cons of Collaborative Strategies
Consider the Pros and Cons of Campaign Strategies
Consider the Pros and Cons of Contest Strategies
Weigh Relevant Considerations in Selecting Tactics
Summary
Discussion Questions and Exercises
Appendix
Suggested Readings
References
Chapter 11: Planning, Implementing, Monitoring, and Evaluating the Intervention
Planning the Details of the Intervention
Example #1: A Program Approach
Example #2: A Policy Approach
The Importance of Implementation
Intervention Planning
Task 1: Set a Goal for the Intervention
Developing Objectives for the Intervention
Task 2: Write Outcome Objectives
Establish a Time Frame for the Objective
Define the Target Population
Specify a Result or Outcome
Define a Criterion for Measuring Success
Example of a Complete Outcome Objective
Task 3: Develop Process Objectives
Establish a Time Frame for the Process Objective
Define the Target
Specify a Result for the Process Objective
Define a Criterion to be used for Documentation Purposes
Example of a Process Objective
Task 4: List Activities for Process Objectives
Formatting Activities for Easy Monitoring
Implementing and Monitoring the Plan
Task 5: Initiate the Action Plan
Manage Logistics
Select and Train Personnel
Task 6: Monitor and Evaluate the Intervention
Monitor Technical Activities
Monitor Interpersonal Activities
Task 7: Evaluate the Effectiveness of the Intervention
Make Use of Available Resources
Compile Periodic Evaluation Reports
Summary
Discussion Questions and Exercises
Appendix A: Framework for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the intervention
Appendix B: Case example: Jackson County Foster Care
Suggested Readings
References
Index
Review :
Here's what the reviewers are saying...
“Once again, Social Work Macro Practice remains the most complete text to pull together community and organizational practice for social workers. I would continue to use it, and I have strongly recommended it to faculty at other institutions…”
— Tracy Soska, Universityof Pittsburgh
