Introduction to Social Work: An Advocacy-Based Profession
Instructor Resources
Web Resources
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Chapter 1. The Social Work Profession
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- National Association of Social Workers
The home page of the #1 organization of social workers in America.
- CSWE Program Database
Database of accredited social work degree programs which users can search by state, name, or program type (baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral).
- Social Work Job Bank
A searchable database of available social work jobs from Juneau, AK to Miami, FL.
Chapter 2. The History of Social Work
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- The ACA Explained
A wide variety of articles aimed at explaining the nuances of the Affordable Care Act
- Conservative/Liberal Continuum Quiz
A quiz that can help your students find where they land on the conservative-liberal continuum.
- NAACP History
A look at the century-plus history of the NAACP, from W.E.B. Du Bois to Benjamin Todd Jealous.
Chapter 3. Generalist Social Work Practice
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- Embracing the Strengths Perspective
The key principles of the strengths perspective and why they are vitally important to social work.
- Change Process
The social work planned-change process in a bit more detail.
- Evidence-based Practice (EBP) Resources
A list of links to resources compiling information about evidence-based practice in many arenas of social work.
Chapter 4. Advocacy in Social Work
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- Federal Election Commission
Find out who has contributed to the politicians who represent you.
- ACLU and LGBTQ Rights
The American Civil Liberties Union takes on the fight for LGBTQ equality.
- Social Welfare History Project: Lee
A profile of social work educator and author Porter R. Lee
Chapter 5. Poverty and Inequality
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- Absolute Poverty in the United States
Access to the current official federal poverty guidelines, via the US Department for Health & Human Services.
- Housing and Urban Development
An explanation of the benefits of Housing Choice Vouchers and the application process.
- SNAP Benefits and Research
Is the program formerly known as Food Stamps having as much of an impact as we’d hope?
Chapter 6. Family and Child Welfare
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- LGBT Parents: Legal Rights and Information
A list of resources for LGBT parents.
- AdoptUSKids
Resources regarding how to become a foster parent in the United States.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
Help for victims of domestic violence is available 24/7.
Chapter 7. Health Care and Health Challenges
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- Separating ACA Fact from Fiction
Nonpartisan website PolitiFact checks the veracity of some of the most public statements about the impact of the Affordable Care Act.
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HIV/AIDS Symptoms
Warning signs that one may have contracted HIV.
- The C-SWHC Credential: Requirements and Benefits
An overview of the requirements to become a certified social worker in health care.
Chapter 8. Physical Challenges and Supportive Services
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- American Association of People with Disabilities
Homepage of the America’s largest disability rights organization.
- National Association of the Deaf
NAD is the nation’s premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States and America.
- ADA Updates & Information
Information on, and technical assistance with, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), courtesy of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.
Chapter 9. Mental Health
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- Hyperbole and a Half: Depression
Web cartoonist Allie Brosh presents a depiction of what it’s like for her to deal with her depression.
- The ACA and Mental Health
A look at the intended changes of the Affordable Care Act as it pertains to mental health coverage.
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America
Resources for people dealing with anxiety and depressive disorders.
Chapter 10. Substance Use and Addiction
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- Blood-Alcohol Calculator
One of the many online calculators that provide an estimate of one’s BAC given different input (sex, weight, number of drinks, type of drinks, time). Please note these are estimates and should not be relied upon to determine whether it is safe for one to drive.
- Sex Addicts Anonymous
The homepage of a 12-step group for sex addicts.
- The Drug Abuse Screening Test
An online version of the DAST, a screening tool that one can self-administer to determine if there is a need for a more in-depth addiction assessment.
Chapter 11. Challenges and Rewards of Aging
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- How to Get Involved and Protect Seniors from Harm
The U.S. Administration on Aging’s National Center on Elder Abuse provides information on how to recognize and stop elder abuse.
- National Resource Center on LGBT Aging
Resources for LGBTQ older adults on topics including ageism, elder abuse, social insurance programs, health & mental health, and much more.
- Medicare Part D
How to navigate the prescription drug benefits available under Medicare.
Chapter 12. Criminal Justice
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- Criminal Justice as Rehabilitation
The rehabilitative services offered by California’s correctional system are detailed here.
- The Reality of Gun Ownership
Does having a gun actually help keep you safe from violent crime?
- The National Gang Center
A group committed to reducing gang-related crime and violence.
Chapter 13. Communities At-Risk and Housing
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- Habitat for Humanity
The home page of this nonprofit organization that seeks to end homelessness through volunteerism.
- National Coalition for the Homeless
One can find help, or find ways to help others through this organization’s network of volunteers, activists, and advocates.
- Eviction: Be in the Know
A list of rights and procedures that one should know if one is being evicted by a landlord.
Chapter 14. The Changing Workplace
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- The Impact of National Minimum Wage Increases
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office breaks down the likely impact of a hike in the minimum wage on a national level.
- Dealing with Workplace Challenges for LGBTQ Employees
The Human Rights Campaign’s resource page for LGBTQ workers.
- On the SSA Tax Cap
A look at the history of the Social Security tax cap, which hit $118,500 in 2015.
Chapter 15. Veterans, Their Families, and Military Social Work
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- Naval Social Work Careers
Information on becoming a clinical social work officer in the Navy.
- Air Force Social Work Careers
And the Air Force as well!
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Specialists
The home page of the VA’s National Center for PTSD.
Chapter 16. Environmentalism
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- Who Could Be More Into Environmental Justice Than…
The EPA’s page on environmental justice.
- Social Work and Disaster Relief
Guidelines for social workers looking to help in natural disaster/crisis situations—including whether your license in your home state can cover you temporarily in another.
- Let’s End the Debate on Climate Change Once and for All
Even the American Petroleum Institute, the most well-known oil industry lobbying organization in the country, acknowledges that climate change is real and threatens America and the world in tangible ways.
Chapter 17. Global and International Social Work
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- International Social Work
The homepage to the journal devoted to this social work specialty.
- So You Want to Be an International Social Worker
A guide for landing one of the highly sought-after jobs in international social work.
- The Guardian’s Guide to LGBTQ Rights
A worldwide guide to each country’s level of respect and consideration for LGBTQ rights.
