Social Work Practice: A Competency-Based Approach

This primary social work practice text, built around the nine core 2015 CSWE competencies, is the only book available that provides students with the benefits of a fully integrated competency-based approach. Social Work Practice: A Competency-Based Approach immediately immerses students in the competencies required for social work practice at the micro, mezzo and macro levels. Designed for use in both upper level BSW and foundation level MSW social work practice courses, the book is uniquely structured to deliver the knowledge and skills students need to develop mastery of the professional social work competencies.

Chapters provide a comprehensive overview of the theories, concepts, and practice components related to each competency. Engaging vignettes, chapter objectives that outline key concepts, abundant case examples, critical-thinking questions, and a detailed case summary with discussion questions in each chapter, help students deepen their understanding of practical applications of the nine core competencies. Each chapter uses the same case to perfectly illustrate the complexity of social work practice and the interconnections among the professional competencies. A robust supplementary instructor package includes PowerPoints, competency-based class assignments with grading rubrics, and sample syllabi. Print version of book includes free, searchable, digital access to entire contents.

Key Features:
• Uniquely organized with a fully integrated competency-based approach
• Devotes one or more chapters to each of the nine CSWE professional competencies
• Delivers abundant case studies that facilitate in-depth understanding and integration of competencies
• Provides case vignettes, critical thinking and discussion questions, and chapter summaries
• Includes supplementary instructor resources such as PowerPoints, group discussion questions, and competency-based written assignments with grading rubrics
• Offers sample syllabi for two separate one-semester courses and a seven-week online course
• Includes Student Resources, featuring online forms, templates, exercises, plans, and more to provide students with ample practice opportunities

John Poulin, Ph.D., is a professor emeritus and adjunct professor at Widener University's Center for Social Work Education currently teaching the foundation field seminar in Widener's online MSW program. In 2016, he retired from Widener University where he had taught generalist practice, research, and policy courses for 32 years. Dr. Poulin received a BA from the University of Southern Maine, an MSW from the University of Michigan, and a PhD from the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration. The former director of Widener's BSW program, he founded its MSW program and served as the dean and director for 13 years. He also served for 10 years as the executive director of Social Work Consultation Services (SWCS), an innovative community-based field placement agency developed by the school of social work in collaboration with local community human service organizations. SWCS provides a wide range of free social work services to low-income community residents as well as free capacity building services to under-resourced, community-based human service organizations. Dr. Poulin has published numerous journal articles and book chapters and three editions of a generalist social work practice textbook and coauthored a new textbook designed for use in foundation field placement seminars and field placements. He has also delivered many national and international conference presentations.

Selina Matis, Ph.D., LCSW, is a proud social worker and lifelong resident of southwestern Pennsylvania. She earned her MSW from California University of Pennsylvania (Cal U). She received her doctoral degree in social work from Widener University. Additionally, she has a BS in elementary education and an MS in school psychology, both from Cal U. Clinically, she has worked primarily in the mental health arena supporting children and their families in a variety of settings. Her research interests include resilience, mental well-being, trauma, burnout, and self-care. Educationally, Dr. Matis has taught at both the BSW and MSW levels in a variety of subject areas including research, policy, human behavior in the social environment, and program evaluation. She has experience supporting students through the field process in a variety of ways, including as a field coordinator, field faculty liaison, and MSW supervisor. Dr. Matis has published and presented on a variety of topics including resilience, trauma-informed social work, working with families, helping students succeed, and the social work competencies.