"A powerful read for any professional whose work revolves around families who live on the margins of society....In clear and precise prose, the authors describe their work in detail, with case examples, anecdotes, and useful commentary....An excellent book, full of descriptive case examples, and written in a firm, persuasive, clear, and authentic voice. It covers a multitude of areas relevant to anyone who works with marginalized families today—whether in agency, a protective services office, or a family therapy training program....A book that focuses on restoring people's humanity in the small and important ways it can be lost in these troubled times. The book's celebrated authors offer careful, creative, well-thought-out and well-tested ideas for how to forge a path out of the madness—for institutions and the people who work within them, and, most of all, for the families often swept up in their wake. As such, the book's potential utility in and outside the field is timeless."--Journal of Marital and Family Therapy
Working with Families of the Poor, Second Edition / Edition 2
Working with Families of the Poor, Second Edition / Edition 2
Overview
Editorial Reviews
"The authors begin the book by superbly chronicling the need for a family approach in our social service system....Has certainly added some helpful insights, techniques, and new paradigms to the family systems field."--Family Journal
"The authors provide brilliant descriptions of how families as systems attempt to survive, how government agencies as systems attempt to help, and how the 2 or more systems interact....Of great value are specific word-for-word accounts of interactions that demonstrate how one approaches system-thinking on one's feet. While the authors stress that clinicians should restrain their expertise, that is not a call for passivity. Instead, as one reads the interactions of these clinicians with the families, one is impressed with the courage of the clinicians. This book has multiple strengths....We applaud this book for its attempt to call attention to a group that is largely overlooked, yet whose members have the potential to make positive changes in their lives if given some help. The writers are on the front lines of this fight, and by describing their experiences with their clients, they put a human face on problems society would prefer to ignore....Those who work with the multicrisis poor will find this book a useful resource."--Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
"This beautifully written book will be a valued text for introductory and advanced social work courses. Drawing upon both systemic and ecological models, the book integrates individual, family, and larger systems. Perhaps most important, it addresses the diverse contexts in which social work practice actually occurs." —Joan Berzoff, MSW, EdD, Professor and Codirector of Doctoral Program, Smith College School of Social Work
"Bravo! These innovative pioneers in strength-based systems approaches with inner-city children, families, and agencies have met a critical need in training and practice. Without a systemic perspective and intervention skills, dedicated professionals can become as overwhelmed and discouraged as their clients in dealing with multicrisis situations, persistent environmental challenges, and fragmented social services. This outstanding volume provides a solid framework and practical guidelines to transform service delivery and strengthen vulnerable families. It will be required reading in my family therapy courses, and I highly recommend it for family support groups." —Froma Walsh, PhD, Professor, School of Social Service Administration and Co-Director, Center for Family Health, The University of Chicago, Author, Strengthening Family Resilience, Past President, American Family Therapy Association
"This masterfully written book presents a clear and practical approach to working with underprivileged families. The authors guide practitioners through the complexities of contemporary human service structures, describing effective macrosystemic examples of interventions on behalf of families in treatment. The book is also a useful text that could help social service students, workers, and supervisors develop and implement family-centered and family-friendly programs." —Ramon A. Rojano MD, MPH, Hartford Human Services Director; Creator of the Community Family Therapy Approach; Faculty, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Central Connecticut State University
"This book reminds us that family networks are remarkably resilient and durable, and that even under great stress, these networks may be sources of solutions, help and healing. If there is one theme woven throughout the book, it is about the power and potential of connections: between, among and within familiel; between the helper and the helped; between individuals, networks and systems; and among systems. The authors illuminate a promising pathway toward respectful and affirming help for families struggling to do well by and for their kids in tough circumstances." —Ralph Smith, Vice-President, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore, Maryland
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781609181222 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Guilford Publications, Inc. |
| Publication date: | 12/19/2006 |
| Series: | The Guilford Family Therapy Series |
| Edition description: | Second Edition |
| Pages: | 259 |
| Sales rank: | 323,640 |