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Book Review: The Practice of Social Work in Public Welfare

Utilizing an exceedingly clear and distinctively readable style, The Practice of Social Work in Public Welfare provides a detailed survey of social work in the nation's largest social welfare system. The book is primarily intended for persons interested in the application of social work methods in the public welfare field. The strength of this book is its deceptively simple yet exhaustive explanation of all areas of social work practice in public welfare, along with its pertinent cases and specific examples. Not once does the author resort to the jargon so prevalent in this field, although he identifies controversial contemporary issues, analyzes all major fields of social work practice in welfare, considers direct and supportive services in welfare organizations, and defines each client group that receives welfare services. Moreover, the author counters many of the prevailing welfare myths with a factual and analytic treatment of the subject. Social casework methods are particularly well detailed, with a comprehensive listing of essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for practice, with illustrative cases. Ginsberg, Commissioner of Welfare of the State of West Virginia, brings a wealth of expertise to this analysis as an educator, administrator, practitioner, and president of the American Public Welfare Association. The text is divided into four sections. The first discusses the three major components of public welfare (agencies, employees, and clients). The author gives a brief history of the public welfare field, illustrating the historical public relief as well as the social security act origins of modern U.S. welfare programs. He informs the reader of the scope of public welfare ($100 billion with about 200,000 people employed nationally) and lists major unresolved issues such as the benefit levels and work requirements. He shows how the social worker fits into public welfare in this section and explores social work ethics, further describing the role of social work in public welfare. Finally, he shows how social work ethics fit comfortably with the major goals of public welfare programs. Public welfare clients are clearly described in this section, and the description is so comprehensive that it is essentially a rebuttal of stereotypes and a study guide to welfare service and benefits. Here, as in other sections, case examples amply illustrate the type of persons receiving welfare benefits and the reasons why they do. Part two focuses on social work practice methods and their application to economic assistance and social services programs. Social casework is examined as central to most services provided to public welfare clients; social casework theoretical perspectives are also described. These theoretical viewpoints range from viewing casework in public welfare as "a problem-solving process which helps a client understand and act to overcome personal or social problems" through a "functional" approach, emphasizing a client's ability to grow with the help of the worker and the agency; to various psychosocial, behavioral, and other miscellaneous casework approaches. The rest of part two is highlighted by an analysis of fundamental caseworker requirements in public welfare-for example, ability to establish rapport by conveying respect for the client, use of clear, everyday language, and confidentiality. (p. 36). Various roles and tasks of a public welfare caseworker are explained, in depth and detail, and always with clarity. This section outlines other social casework services for special client groups, such as youth in conflict with the law, and institutionalized adults. The author defines, gives the goals of these special client services, and presents examples. Overall, the presentation of the goals, definitions, and explanations of welfare programs, clients, and methods makes this a good reference work and an excellent introductory text for discussion and analysis of specific public social services. All services are explained and cases are presented, no doubt from the author's own experience. Though Ginsberg focuses much of his analysis on social casework as the predominant public welfare method, he does not neglect other methods. Part two treats group services and community organization methods in much the same way as the previous analysis of casework services. Following the discussion of method, the author describes the history and application of controversial public welfare work programs such as the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) and the Work Incentive (WIN) programs, showing appro-