Rural Social Work on the US–Mexico Border

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Villa
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Culturally Sensitive ◽  
Rural Social Work ◽  
Provision Of Services ◽  
Mexico Border ◽  
Social Work Programs ◽  
The U.S

The profession of social work continues to struggle with the provision of services that must be culturally sensitive to the values and traditions of the people who live in rural neighborhoods and colonias along the U.S.–Mexico border. The diverse populations that live in the border environment are self-reliant and distrust outsiders. This most salient fact creates opportunities for social work programs to adopt the person-in-the-environment approach to assessment. In so doing, the gente (people) in need of services are more apt to feel respected and will facilitate access to their families and communities. The rurality paradigm was developed to provide an understanding of the underlying ideologies of the community first and foremost. Rurality views people’s self-image as constructed by their interactions with each other and the environment. Social work practice in rural areas continues to be at the forefront of both educational and professional concerns. A paradigm shift is advocated to capture the “rurality”- defined lifestyle found along the U.S.–Mexico border of South Texas. This approach provides a more in-depth view of the social interactions necessary for competent, culturally sensitive social work practice.

Rural Practice

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Stephen Cooper ◽  
Freddie L. Avant
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Rural Practice ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Rural Social Work

Rural social work, the history of which stretches back more than a century, has been revitalized since the mid-1970s. The renewed interest in rural social work has led to an increase in scholarship on rural social work practice, much of which is a direct result of the efforts of the Rural Social Work Caucus and its annual National Institute on Social Work and Human Services in Rural Areas. Recent research endeavors have moved our understanding of the differences between rural and urban communities beyond the common definitions, which are limited to population and population density. We have also come to realize that there are many different types of rural communities, all of which have different characteristics, needs, etc. Specifically, the concept of rural is not monolithic. Rural practitioners and researchers have also reached a better understanding of the following: rural culture and lifestyles, the importance of approaching rural communities from a strengths perspective rather than a deficit or problem focus, and the challenges to rural practice presented by the characteristics that are common across rural communities (e.g., lack of anonymity, dual relationships). Not surprisingly, the increase in research on rural social work practice has been accompanied by an interest in preparing social workers for rural practice and growth in the number of graduate programs focused on such. The importance of these programs lies in the unique nature of the challenges faced by rural communities. For example, many rural communities are experiencing sharp population declines while at the same time seeing substantial increases in adults who are 65 years of age and older. Other common trends include: economic decline and subsequent increase in social issues; substantial issues with substance abuse, especially methamphetamine and opioids; lack of technology infrastructure; concerns related to the environment and/or conversation of natural resources; and lack of services for veterans. The key to successfully addressing these issues in rural communities is involvement from social workers who are prepared to practice in the rural context.

Main Street Revisited: Social Work Practice in Rural Areas

1986 ◽  
Vol 67 (8) ◽  
pp. 466-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gretchen H. Waltman
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Rural Social Work ◽  
Main Street ◽  
Professional Development Needs ◽  
The Relationship

The unique aspects of rural social work practice are discussed, with emphasis on the relationship between rural values and primary social work methods and skills. Suggestions for meeting the professional development needs of rural social workers are presented.

Rural social work practice in the United States and Australia

2004 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 515-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Saltman ◽  
Joanne Gumpert ◽  
Kandie Allen-Kelly ◽  
Joanna Zubrzycki
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Rural Culture ◽  
Work Roles ◽  
Rural Social Work ◽  
Rural Context

A comparison of social work practice in rural areas of the United States and Australia reflects similar characteristics. Findings add support to the assertion that there are particular qualities to practice in the rural context that are embedded in the subtleties of shaping social work roles to fit into rural culture.

Book Review: Rural Social Work Practice

1982 ◽  
Vol 63 (9) ◽  
pp. 573-574
Author(s):  
Leon H. Ginsberg
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Rural Social Work

Youth unemployment: Implications for social work practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 560-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianqiang Liang ◽  
Guat Tin Ng ◽  
Ming-sum Tsui ◽  
Miu Chung Yan ◽  
Ching Man Lam
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Young People ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Youth Unemployment ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Youth Employment ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Employment Conditions ◽  
Social Work Programs

Summary This article discusses a missing but emergent role of social work with unemployed young people. The authors highlight the transitional and structural factors of youth unemployment. Using a social work lens, the “Youth Employment Network” (YEN) is discussed and the International Labour Organization’s “4Es” (employability, equal opportunity, employment creation, entrepreneurship) framework is elaborated. This article adds a fifth “E” (Ecological connection) and proposes a “5Es” model for social workers to support unemployed young people to overcome transitional and structure barriers for employment. Findings Limited social work programs, studies, or evaluations are targeted for unemployed young people despite historical concern with employment conditions of workers and suggest the instrumental role in research, policy and practice concerning the unemployed young people. Applications Recommendations are provided in terms of how to implement the 5Es in policy, education, training, and direct practice of social work in youth employment.

Clinical Social Work Practice in the U.S. Army: An Update

1995 ◽  
Vol 160 (6) ◽  
pp. 283-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry Applewhite ◽  
Karlynn BrintzenhofeSzoc ◽  
Elwood R. Hamlin ◽  
Elizabeth M. Timberlake
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Clinical Social Work ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Clinical Social Work Practice ◽  
The U.S

Rural Social Work Practice: Clinical Quality

1981 ◽  
Vol 62 (8) ◽  
pp. 458-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ellen Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Value Systems ◽  
Clinical Quality ◽  
Rural Social Work ◽  
Treatment Relationship ◽  
Rural Clients ◽  
Resources And Capabilities

Intervention with rural clients requires an emphasis on certain qualities of practice. The value systems of rural clients indicate a practice stance that reflects authenticity, sensitivity to hierarchy in the treatment relationship, modification of language, and a belief in clients' resources and capabilities.

Challenges of Social Work Students from Historically Disadvantaged Universities during Placements in Semi-Rural Areas in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Varoshini Nadesan
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Undergraduate Study ◽  
Historically Disadvantaged ◽  
The University

This study highlights the challenges faced by social work students during their fourth-year field placements. The research was conducted among social work students at two historically disadvantaged universities in South Africa. The aim of the study was to understand the field experiences of final-year Bachelor of Social Work students from historically disadvantaged universities. It was anticipated that these students were placed at rural or semi-rural communities that were close to the university. Students in the fourth and final year of their undergraduate study are expected to receive training that would generate advanced field practice experience in specialised settings to prepare them for the reality of social work practice in the workplace. A qualitative study was undertaken among current and past social work students. The findings highlighted issues pertaining to limited placements, poorly managed student placements, access to communities, and supervision challenges. However, the key findings indicate that once placed, the students felt abandoned by their training institutions and left to rely solely on their field supervisors for academic, administrative and developmental guidance. The study recommends that universities be more adept at fulfilling the needs of students and providing comprehensive support. The study also recommends that a suitably administered system of communication between the university, student and placement agency be implemented as part of the comprehensive support to students.

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