Known for its engaging writing style and use of many current examples and cases of human service practitioners at work,An Introduction to Human Services is one of the leading texts in the introductory human services market.

The text provides complete and up-to-date coverage of social welfare programs and policies, and describes how history, politics, and the economy shape the programs. It compares the U.S. social welfare systems to systems in other countries. A strong multicultural and social systems approach also distinguishes it from other texts.

The Sixth Edition includes updated diversity content on the September11th attacks, Arab-Americans, racial profiling & racial discrimination, gay and lesbian marriage, the opposition to abortion, affirmative action, bilingual education & new immigration policies (Ch 7). Chapter 6, "The Social Welfare System," is thoroughly updated with information on Social Security, TANF, Day care, SSI, food stamps, hunger, WIC, Medicare, school breakfast & lunch, unemployment insurance, Earned Income Tax Credit, and more.  Content on managed care and the new Patients’ Bill of Rights (Ch. 9) is made current.  And unique coverage is included on stem cell research, cloning, sperm banks releasing information on biological fathers, as well as charging pregnant substance abusers with child abuse.