Unique in its use of a human rights framework, Social Work and Social Welfare goes beyond U.S. borders to examine U.S. government policies -- including child welfare, social services, health care, and criminal justice -- within a global context. Guided by the belief that forces from the global market and predominant political ideologies affect all social workers in their practice, the book addresses a wide range of relevant topics, including the refugee journey, the impact of new technologies, war trauma, environmental justice, and restorative justice. As a general textbook, the content is organized to follow course outlines for basic, introductory courses which examine social welfare programs, policies, and issues.

"The spirit of human rights and social work fits clearly, but the will to articulate human rights as foundational to social work has been sidelineduntil now. This book provides human rights as an organizing framework, and makes it transferable to the syllabus and classroom. The global perspective is effectivewe see more clearly when we learn through our peers around the world. The authors wisely include environmental justice and the kin idea of sustainable development; this is where human rights are nurtured or diminished for people all around the globe." - Christina L. Erickson, PhD, Associate Professor, Augsburg University

"van Wormer and Link capture the essence of social work as addressing the collective well-being of all with their emphasis on viewing human rights through a global lens. The star chapter about values analysis is a rare find and challenges students to think far past rugged individualism and geographic borders to realize there are many credible and worthy perspectives. The power analysis, cultural humility, and intersectionality approaches in the oppression chapter are current, holistic, and comprehensive. This is a go-to social work overview text due to the in-depth analysis of every piece of the social welfare pie." - Margo J. Heydt, EdD, LISW-S, Chair & Associate Professor, Social Work Department, Xavier University