Critical reflection (CR) is a process by which one may identify the assumptions governing one's actions, question them, and develop alternative behaviors. This article presents two cases that demonstrate the use of CR to raise social workers' awareness of gaps between what Schon and Argryis term social workers' "espoused theories" and the…

As the United States' economy continues to experience challenges, more families at or near the poverty level fall prey to predatory financial practices. Their vulnerability to these operations is increased by a lack of knowledge of asset-building resources and alternative financial services. This article focuses on Volunteer Income Tax Assistance…

Gender-based violence (GBV) affects women across race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation, and geographic boundaries. No segments of society are immune from the vestiges of this problem. Yet GBV has been particularly harmful within communities of African ancestry African American communities suffer with greater…

A study of 35 nonprofessional helpers, identified as community "guides," focused on the contribution each made to helping marginalized individuals and families become a part of their communities. The lessons learned through these lay helpers can inform a postmodern social work practice that promotes the use of indigenous practice principles…

Discusses the "hidden illness" of compulsive gambling. Describes course of the disease, theories of compulsive gambling, effects of compulsive gambling on gambler's wife and children, the organization Gam-Anon, and human service agencies' staff training and counseling intake procedures. Recommends self-help groups for all family members.…

Describes the application of conflict-resolution strategies to managed-care disputes. The premises and processes for conflict resolution through negotiation are presented, the application of these principles to common disagreements between providers and payers is demonstrated. Strategies for overcoming difficulties resulting from differential…

Describes series of successful marital workshops conducted at Kansas State Penitentiary, involving problems of inmates, their wives and children. Marital and family counseling seen as effective in implementing changes in inmates' attitudes and behaviors. Recommends marital counseling in all penitentiaries; suggests social workers work to make…

Describes Project OPT, an intensive short-term intervention in the homes of families with problems in parent-child interaction. Qualities important in achieving success are: (1) to be accepting; (2) to plan clear objectives; (3) understanding of the family system; and (4) to be skilled in relating to children. (Author)

Established innovative interest-free loan program in midwestern metropolitan area as response to deteriorating economic circumstances of low-wage-earning single parents and their dependent children during 1980s. Interviews with participants revealed personal characteristics and economic circumstances of target population and purposes for which…

Describes a continuum of services to families in their homes to prevent the necessity of child placement. Presents four categories of services--general case management, the comprehensive social worker, the in-house team, and the intraagency team--to aid families who demonstrate psychological difficulty and resource deficits. (Author/JAC)

Uses a case study to illustrate effective use of written contracts in family therapy. The contract provides short term benefits that form the basis for more complex and time consuming therapy. By offering tangible evidence of change, the contract facilitates additional intervention by conceptualizing problems. (Author/JAC)

Whether the union is jeopardized by disappointment, fear of not achieving satisfaction in life, or other problems, the couple in crisis may turn to divorce as the lesser evil. The mediation process is of potential value to those couples who may want to avoid protracted, painful lawsuits. (Author)

Gender is a ubiquitous social construct that wields power over every individual in our society. The traditional dichotomous gender paradigm is oppressive, especially for transgendered people whose sense of themselves as gendered people is incongruent with the gender they were assigned at birth. Transgendered individuals are targeted for…

Describes an after-school program which provides academic remediation, socialization, recreation, group therapy, meal preparation and field trips for boys 10-17 with behavior problems. A summer day camp provides prevocational activities. The program's effectivness is characterized by high attendance and testimonials from parents and teachers. (JAC)

The stages of resettlement and need to integrate past cultural experience into their new life are similar for all immigrants. Describes stages of resettlement and basic elements needed to manage the resettlement process. Three specific groups of clients are identified, and case management methods are presented for dealing with issues raised by…