Rural Social Work Practice

by Nancy Lohmann (Editor), Roger Lohmann (Editor)

Overview

Featuring contributions from practitioners, researchers, and academics, this volume synthesizes and analyzes current trends in rural social work practice and considers the most effective ways to serve rural communities. Contributors consider the history and development of rural social work from its beginnings to the present day, addressing the value of the Internet and other new information technologies in helping clients. They also examine the effects of nonprofit organizations and welfare reform on poor rural areas. Coverage of specific client populations and fields of practice includes services for rural mental healthcare; the chronically mentally ill; healthcare for minorities; and the challenges faced by the elderly in rural areas. The contributors also consider issues affecting gays and lesbians living in rural communities and the role of religiosity and social support in the well-being of HIV/AIDS clients. The book concludes with a consideration of the unique issues associated with educating social workers for rural practice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780231503167
Publisher:	Columbia University Press
Publication date:	10/26/2005
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	376
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Nancy Lohmann is a professor of social work at West Virginia University and senior adviser to the provost. She is the coeditor of Transitions of Aging.

Roger Lohmann is a professor of social work at West Virginia University. He is the author of The Commons: New Perspectives on Nonprofit Organization and Voluntary Action and Breaking Even: Financial Management in Human Service Organizations and the editor of Nonprofit Management and Leadership. The Lohmanns are also the coauthors of Social Administration (Columbia).

Table of Contents

Introduction (Roger A. Lohmann and Nancy Lohmann)
Part I: The Context of Practice
1. Social Work in Rural America: Lessons from the Past and Trends for the Future (Barry L. Locke and Jim Winship)
2. Rural Poverty and Welfare Reform: Challenges and Opportunities (Eleanor H. Blakely and Barry L. Locke)
3. Wired for the Future? The Impact of Information and Telecommunications Technology on Rural Social Work (Norma H. Wasko)
4. The Distribution of Nonprofit Social Service Organizations along the Rural-Urban Continuum (Mark A. Hager, Amy Brimer, and Thomas H. Pollak)
5. The Third Sector in Rural America (Roger A. Lohmann)
Part II: Interventions
6. Dual Relationships in Rural Communities (Warren B. Galbreath)
7. Rural Community-Building Strategies (Dennis L. Poole)
8. The Multiple Roles of a Rural Administrator (Nancy Lohmann and Roger A. Lohmann)
Part III: Client Populations and Fields of Practice
9. Services for the Chronically Mentally Ill in Rural Areas (Elizabeth Randall)
10. Directions in Rural Mental Health Practice (Elizabeth Randall and Dennis Vance, Jr.)
11. The Health of Rural Minorities (Doris Nicholas)
12. Gay Men and Lesbians in Rural Areas: Acknowledging, Valuing, and Empowering This Stigmatized Invisible People (Chatman Neely)
13. The Role of Religiousness/Spirituality and Social Support on Subjective Well-being Among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Rural Communities (Dong Pil Yoon)
14. Demographic Characteristics of the Rural Elderly (Craig Johnson)
Part IV: Education for Practice
15. Social Work Education for Rural Practice (Nancy Lohmann)
Epilogue: What is Rural Practice? (Roger A. Lohmann and Nancy Lohmann)
List of Contributors
Index

What People are Saying About This

Rebecca Garrison

Rural Social Work Practiceis an excellent resource for understanding the context, social issues, challenges, and intervention strategies for social work in rural areas.

— Rebecca Garrison, Social Work Program, Northern Arizona University

Leon Ginsberg

This book is an important and major development in rural social work scholarship. It extends the knowledge base for teaching about and practicing social work in smaller, non-metropolitan communities.

— Leon Ginsberg, College of Social Work, University of South Carolina

Judith A. Davenport

The Lohmanns' latest book has pulled together an excellent array of chapters by rural practitioners, academics, and researchers. Traditional knowledge and current trends are explored. This book is a 'must' addition to all schools of social work's, agencies', and personal libraries!

— Judith A. Davenport, School of Social Work, University of Missouri-Columbia

Susan Murty

This publication makes a thoughtful, engaging, and innovative contribution to the rural social work literature. The editors have integrated content on theoretical concepts, new research, technology, a range of practice approaches, and a variety of special populations.

— Susan Murty, School of Social Work, University of Iowa

Editorial Reviews

An important contribution to the literature and should be widely consulted by anyone interested in rural social welfare.

Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare

This is a fine basic text or reader for social work students who want to absorb the flavor and needs of practice in the rural US.

Choice