Social Work

Social work throughout the world addresses issues of health care, poverty, mental illness, substance abuse, homelessness and affordable housing, [Page 1359]aging, child welfare, disability, crime and delinquency, family conflict, trauma, and discrimination and oppression, among others. Social workers serve as case managers, counselors, agency administrators, community organizers, policy analysts, advocates, and researchers.

The social work profession was inaugurated formally in the late 19th century, primarily in Europe and North America. In its earliest years, social work focused primarily on issues related to poverty, inadequate housing, and health-care challenges, among other basic human needs. Since then the social work profession has broadened its reach to include a wide range of settings and client populations, including challenges related to behavioral health, addiction, homelessness, refugee resettlement, domestic violence, disability, ...