The Child Welfare Challenge: Policy, Practice, and Research, Second Edition (Modern Applications of Social Work) [Paperback]

Richard P. Barth (Author), Anthony N. Maluccio (Author), Robert D. Plotnick (Author), James K. Whittaker (Author), Peter J. Pecora (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0202361268 | ISBN-13: 978-0202361260 | Publication Date: October 1, 2000 | Edition: 2

This newly revised and updated edition of a widely adopted text continues to address a broad array of issues in supporting children and strengthening families. It includes key information about federal legislation as well as policy-related outcomes research in child welfare. The first edition of The Child Welfare Challenge was hailed by Social Work as "an excellent source from which to gain an in-depth understanding of the practice and policy dimensions of child maltreatment, foster care, and adoption" and by the Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare as "essential reading for anyone interested in knowing more about child welfare practice in social work." Within a historical and contemporary context, this book examines major policy, practice, and research issues as they jointly shape current child welfare practice and possible future directions. In addition to describing the major challenges facing the child welfare field, the book highlights some of the service innovations that have been developed, as these could be used to help address some of these challenges. In child welfare the focus is on families and children whose primary recourse to services has been through publicly funded agencies. The contributors consider historical areas of service--foster care and adoptions, in-home family-centered services, child-protective services, and residential services--in which social work has a legitimate, long-standing, and important mission. This is a comprehensive book, but one that appreciates the fact that many areas, such as daycare and early intervention, invite exploration. It is unique in that each chapter describes how policy initiatives and research can or should influence program design and implementation. Peter J. Pecora is manager of research for the Casey Family Programs and professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Washington. James K. Whittaker is professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Washington. Anthony N. Maluccio is professor in the Graduate School of Social Work at Boston College. Richard P. Barth is Frank Daniels Distinguished Professor in the School of Social Work, North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Robert D. Plotnick is professor in the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs and adjunct professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Washington.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard P. Barth is dean of the School of Social Work and professor at the University of Maryland. He is the author or editor of numerous books in The Child Welfare Challenge and Adoption and Prenatal Drug Exposure.

Anthony N. Maluccio recently retired from Boston College where he was professor of social work. He is also professor emeritus of the University of Connecticut, where he taught social work for over twenty-five years. He conducted many research projects on topics such as adoption, permanency planning, and family foster care. His authored and co-authored books include Permanency Planning for Children: Concepts and Methods; Social Work Practice with Families and Children; and Evaluation in Child and Family Services: Comparative Client and Program Perspectives.

James K. Whittaker is Charles O. Cressey Endowed Professor Emeritus in the School of Social Work, University of Washington. He is a frequent consultant on child care training both in the Seattle area and nationally and is a consultant on research and training to the Child Development and Mental Retardation Center, University of Washington. He has served as director of the Social Welfare Program. He is also a founding member of the International Association for Outcome-Based Evaluation & Research on Family and Children’s Services.

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Aldine Transaction; 2 edition (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0202361268
• ISBN-13: 978-0202361260
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #732,376 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Review, May 16, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Child Welfare Challenge: Policy, Practice, and Research, Second Edition (Modern Applications of Social Work) (Paperback)

This is a quite comprehensive book. The authors cover a wide variety of insightful information and research in the child welfare field. Very good for anybody who will be working in a public child welfare setting or conducting research in this area. As with most academic reading, it tends to be a little dry. And, because there is so much information, sometimes it doesn't flow very well.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great overview, August 14, 2011

By 

Suzy Smith - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Child Welfare Challenge: Policy, Practice, and Research, Second Edition (Modern Applications of Social Work) (Paperback)

I was assigned this book as a textbook and really enjoyed it. I also work in child welfare so I put it in the office for new trainees. This book covered such a vast amount of information and a very informative manner. I would recommend it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great information! Used it for several papers and thesis!, May 29, 2009

By 

Lisa Hogaboom "MSW Student" (Hollywood, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Child Welfare Challenge: Policy, Practice, and Research, Second Edition (Modern Applications of Social Work) (Paperback)

Great book with good information about the child welfare system. Speifically, I was looking for information about older youth adoptions.