Explores the perceptions of 74 New Jersey child welfare workers pertaining to independent case reviews of children placed outside the home. Workers' understanding of the law, their methods of dealing with placement review in their practice, their relationship with their local board, and their overall assessment of the advantages and disadvantages…

Reports on a multisource identification and an in-depth analysis of exemplary state agency rehabilitation counselors so as to describe the characteristics associated with being exemplary. Results indicate no differences between the two types of rehabilitation counselors -- therapeutic and case manager -- on-job satisfaction or on-task demands.…

Early intervention services provided to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families include case management. A historical framework for the concept of case management is presented, the role of the case manager in early intervention is explored, and competencies involved in the role are outlined. (Author/JDD)

Provides overview of case management, its history, and contemporary models. Examines challenges that case management poses for social work profession: covering up issue that health and human services delivery system is nonsystem; maintaining client-centered perspective in cost-obsessed environment; dealing with quality control; coping with…

Nicole and Matt are working together at Nexus, a group home, with six youth: Cathie, Maria, Ramon, Ron, Cheryl, and Nick. Nexus is a two-story house in the center of a medium-sized city. It is an older building that has been decorated and enlivened with the youth's art and music. Their story is presented in this article to illustrate how youthwork…

One hundred and sixty-four children from a rural county in the state of Maryland, USA, were followed longitudinally from birth until kindergarten entry, tracking their participation in a home visiting program designed to enhance parent child interaction and school readiness. Results suggest that duration of home visiting had a positive, direct…

Although many in the social work profession have written about empowerment, few have offered a description of the empowerment process from the perspective of clients and workers in high-risk communities. This qualitative study presents a model of empowerment practice from the perspective of frontline workers, the challenges they faced, and the…

This paper is a report of an innovative program in social work education to enrich field supervisors and students with the latest theories and practices related to social work practice in health care settings. This program consists of a study day organized jointly by academic faculty, field supervisors, and students, conducted once a year between…

Interviewed 15 social workers to examine the use of Life Books for children in substitute family care. Results indicated the project was valuable in helping children integrate past and present experiences and develop a sense of identity. (JAC)

Surveyed 247 social workers to investigate their use of community self-help groups as a resource for clients. Results indicated social workers were aware of self-help groups and their benefits, but agencies do not have policies that encourage their use. (JAC)

Describes Cuban culture and psychosocial characteristics to promote better communication and provide social workers with a better understanding of treatment approaches that are culturally sensitive. Discusses values, family relationships, sex roles, interpersonal relations, locus of control, time orientation, activity orientation, language, and…

Contends that recording has become an administrative rather than a clinical activity, retroactive rather than proactive, bringing its usefulness to clinical practice in question. Presents suggestions for improving the clinical record and for returning it to its proper place as a vital component of clinical practice. (LLL)

Discusses the importance of the interactive dimension for the training of planners and the practice of planning. Presents a framework by which social work planners can begin to use interactional skills. (JAC)

General systems theory may be of special use to social work as a teaching tool to organize knowledge more quickly for the student. (Editor)

Proposes a comprehensive definition of permanency planning and delineates its major components. (Author/RH)