This is one of the most well-known and respected texts on ethnic-sensitive social work practice, diversity practice, or practice with minorities. It can also be used as a supplement in social work practice courses at either the undergraduate or graduate levels. The text covers practice not only with minority groups but with other ethnic groups as well; it includes a chapter on practice with refugees and immigrants (Ch. 10). Ethnic-Sensitive Social Work Practice takes a generalist perspective, with coverage of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. It also covers many approaches to practice, including empowerment and strengths perspectives, psychosocial perspectives, problem-solving and task-centered, as well as structural approaches.
This text was one of the first written in response to CSWE's mandate for coverage of ethnicity within the social work practice sequence (in 1981), and it has since led the way in exploring issues of ethnic sensitivity in practice. The new edition includes coverage of a developing “new ethnicity” in America, with the emergence of a new population with multiracial backgrounds. The impact of welfare reform on ethnic communities is covered in Chapters 1, 8 (Direct Practice) and 9 (Macro Practice), 12 (Practice in the Public Sector), and 13 (Managed Care and Ethnicity).