An Introduction to Human Services

Providing real-world illustrations for every chapter, videos (available in the MindTap digital teaching and learning solution) demonstrate chapter concepts in action. Segments vary from vignettes about clients and helping strategies to videos that illustrate the challenges professionals encounter in their work.

Cutting-edge cases and applications illustrate key ideas and provide practical ways for students to apply concepts and strategies introduced in the text to real-world scenarios. One case study illustrates each human service delivery model, and helps students view client issues from a holistic perspective. In addition, an expanded human service model includes a strengths and wellness perspective.

An engaging and enjoyable read, this text delivers a comprehensive introduction to the human services field and the essential skills students need to succeed as working professionals. It accurately documents the rapidly evolving environment in which human services are delivered, covering such key topics as shifting demographics, developing technologies, and common day-to-day challenges students are likely to face in their careers.

Each chapter includes chapter objectives, detailed real-world case studies with focus questions, lists of key terms, a summary of important "Things to Remember," discussion questions, and suggested readings for further information -- all designed to make instruction more effective and facilitate student learning. In addition, excerpts of primary source material offer illuminating first-hand perspectives.

The text's international perspective provides valuable insight into today's global environment. In-depth coverage of increasingly important diversity issues is also integrated throughout and enhanced by a new chapter that explores the dimension of multicultural helping.

End-of-chapter "Want to Know More?" features give students a variety of resources to further explore concepts and issues related to the chapter.

A comprehensive suite of instructor's resources helps faculty easily prepare for the course. They include chapter objectives, summaries, PowerPoint® slides, outlines, a test bank, and activities and questions that assist students in reading, reviewing, and applying concepts.

This edition is reorganized into four parts. Part I addresses basic questions that students have when they enter the course. Part II focuses on the foundations of the profession and human service work, with coverage of ethical considerations and a new chapter on multicultural considerations. Part III introduces the practice of human services, including the helping process, and providing services to clients. A new Part IV illuminate's current trends, conveying information about the hopes and realities of human service as it's practiced in the real world.

A new chapter, "Multicultural Dimensions of Helping," traces the history and rationale for attending to clients and their cultures during the helping process. Students gain an understanding of cultural competence and how to begin to develop it by reading about culture, assimilation, acculturation, worldview, race, ethnicity, discrimination, and White privilege. Students also consider how their own cultural identity may influence the way they view the world and the way they help clients.

Every chapter has increased emphasis on the relationship of human service delivery to advocacy and social justice. For example, Chapter 4 discusses the importance of social justice as it relates to client rights, self-determination, and professional competence. The public health model, described in Chapter 6, provides an example of how the Centers for Disease Control and the Office of the United States Surgeon General conduct an advocacy campaign.

New case examples are added to several chapters, and many from the previous edition are updated. For example, a case on the current opioid prescription drug epidemic (Ch. 6) illustrates how the medical, public health, and human service models address this issue. The final case of Susan and Ted describes the complexities of serving clients and illustrates how the three models of service delivery are integrated.

This MindTap course is Quality Matters Certified. For more information, visit www.qualitymatters.org