Includes bibliographical references and index.

Social problems, the social welfare system, and the role of professional social work. An introduction to social problems, social welfare organizations, and the profession of social work ; A brief history of social work : from English poor laws to the progressive policies of President Barack Obama ; The social work process ; Professional social work practice : the sophisticated generalist ; Social work eduction -- Professional social workers respond to social problems in related work settings. The economically and socially disadvantaged : professional social work in the public and private social welfare systems ; Children in difficulty : the child welfare system and professional social work with abused, neglected, and emotionally troubled children and their families ; The education system in America and the role of school social workers ; Troubled families : the social welfare safety net and professional social work with families experiencing financial, emotional, and social difficulties ; Problems in the workplace : work-related helping organizations and the role of industrial social work ; Problems of crime and violence : the legal system and the role of forensic social work in work with juveniles ; The graying of America : helping organizations with older adults and the role of social workers in gerontology ; Serious emotional problems and mental illness : helping organizations and the role of clinical social work ; Health problems, disabilities, death and dying, and access to care : the many helping roles of medical social workers ; A society with serious substance abuse problems : the helping organizations and the role of social workers in treating and preventing alcohol and drug abuse -- International issues and the roles of social work. Immigration : xenophobia, the organizations helping new immigrants, and social work's role in smoothing transitions to the United States ; Natural disasters, terrorism, and random violence : helping organizations and the role of social work in treating victims in crisis ; International social problems : the helping organizations and the roles of international social workers ; Medical, social, and emotional problems in the military : the veterans administration and military social work -- Key elements in combating social problems and achieving social justice. The problems faced by diverse populations : the helping organizations and culturally sensitive social work practice ; The role of social work and social welfare organizations in developing healthy community life : building better communities through community organizing ; The impact of religion and spirituality on the social and emotional lives of Americans : religiously affiliated social service institutions and the role of social work ; Achieving social justice through organizational change : social work administration, social justice, and the public social service system ; Achieving social justice through social policy initiatives ; Potential social problems in the 21st century and the future directions for social welfare and social work.