The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy

The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy

The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy uses the lens of an innovative policy model and an emphasis on social change to break new ground in social welfare policy texts. Starting from the explicit premise that every kind of social work practice embodies a social policy, the book stresses that policy knowledge enables social workers to help clients as well as to help themselves. Drawing on this awareness, the text then makes the standard social welfare policy material come alive by asking two new questions: 1) what factors trigger social change in these social policies?; and 2) how do these factors affect the social policies that influence what social workers actually do? To answer these questions, it develops a five-part policy model, which shows, through full chapters on each subject, how economics, politics, ideology, social movements, and the history of social welfare define social welfare policy. "A very readable and comprehensive book that brings a refreshingly new approach to the field by stressing the ever-changing nature of social welfare policy and the need for students to understand the way social policy is shaped by history, ideology, economics, politics, and social movements. This excellent book offers important and challenging insights and deserves to be widely read."-James Midgley, Harry & Riva Specht Professor of Public Social Services and Dean, School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley "I really appreciate this text because it facilitates understanding of the many factors that often complicate social policy in real life experiences. It gives students the tools for questioning and challenging our social welfare practices and approaches as we encounter changing social conditions. Students love it because they are able to recognize key aspects of the policy framework in their personal stories and in the fabric of every day life."--CarolAnn Dan "A very readable and comprehensive book that brings a refreshingly new approach to the field by stressing the ever-changing nature of social welfare policy and the need for students to understand the way social policy is shaped by history, ideology, economics, politics, and social movements. This excellent book offers important and challenging insights and deserves to be widely read."-James Midgley, Harry & Riva Specht Professor of Public Social Services and Dean, School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley "I really appreciate this text because it facilitates understanding of the many factors that often complicate social policy in real life experiences. It gives students the tools for questioning and challenging our social welfare practices and approaches as we encounter changing social conditions. Students love it because they are able to recognize key aspects of the policy framework in their personal stories and in the fabric of every day life."--CarolAnn Daniel, Ph.D, Brooklyn College "A lucid and thoughtful presentation of the dynamic aspects of social welfare policy for students of social work and related human servicesunique and proactive."-Paula Allen-Meares, The Norma Radin Collegiate Professor of Social Work and Professor of Education, and Dean, School of Social Work, University of Michigan "This text brings to life the texture and pulse of decisions and processes that help determine who will eat steadily, find quality shelter, stay employed, afford transportation, secure child care, and enjoy a livable income. It will serve graduate and undergraduate students for years to come."-Barbara Levy Simon, Associate Professor of Social Work, Columbia University "A welcome departure from most social policy texts that prepares students to analyze social issues and to construct strategies for changing crucial social welfare policiesa novel and effective approach."-Josefina Figueira-McDonough, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, Justice Studies and Social Work, Arizona State University "Blau and Abramovitz have given us the great gift of their many combined years of professional experience and advocacy for the poor. You don't have to be a social work student to profit from their clarity and insights; I, for one, will be referring to this book for years to come."-Barbara Ehrenreich, author of Nickle and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America "An accessible, readable, and stimulating approach to social welfare policy that will inform, challenge, and motivate both undergraduate and graduate students. New and exciting, this well-researched and organized text will help students master the intricacies of social welfare policy and became policy-sensitive practitioners."--Irwin Nesoff, DSW, Associate Professor and Assistant Chairperson, Social Work Department (BSW), Kean University "A very readable and comprehensive book that brings a refreshingly new approach to the field by stressing the ever-changing nature of social welfare policy and the need for students to understand the way social policy is shaped by history, ideology,