Decision Cases for Advanced Social Work Practice

Terry A. Wolfer is a professor at the University of South Carolina College of Social Work and a recipient of the Distinguished Recent Contributions in Social Work Education Award from the Council on Social Work Education. Lori D. Franklin is a licensed clinical social worker and a clinical assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma in the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work. Karen A. Gray is an associate professor at the University of Oklahoma in the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work.

One of the great challenges in teaching social work practice is helping students move beyond tidy, textbook formulations to wrestle with the messiness of true practice. This book provides a range of honest, nuanced decision cases that can be used in classes to help students identify, articulate, and sort through the ethical, practice, and personal issues they will face in their careers. Each case focuses on a thematic area (e.g. client autonomy, supervisory conflict) with a depth and complexity that precludes easy answers. An immensely helpful tool for any educator seeking to sharpen students' critical thinking and ability to 'think like a social worker.' -- Anna Sheyett, University of South Carolina This book is a more sophisticated, complex presentation of clinical social work cases. It contributes to advanced clinical training or with continuing education of professionals by providing an update on current clinical social work case issues. -- Mary Ortega, University of Michigan This is a must-have book for social work educators, students and practitioners who strive to integrate and sharpen their advanced knowledge and skills! Professors Wolfer, Franklin, Gray and their esteemed group of contributing authors have captured the complexity and nuance of social work practice through this collection of cases from professional social workers in real-world settings. -- David W. Springer, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, The University of Texas at Austin These cases involve complex life circumstances that blend clinical, organizational, administrative, and cultural issues where the facts are sometimes obscure, contradictory, and emotional. They help students expand the critical-thinking skills required to make collaborative decisions in practice and increase their competence, confidence, and understanding of how decisions are made and supported. -- King Davis, University of Texas, Austin An excellent tool for developing skills of critical reflection and analysis, alongside recognition of the impact of social work on self. -- Kay Wall Journal of Social Work Practice

• Preface and Acknowledgments To Instructors, by Terry A. Wolfer To Students, by Terry A. Wolfer, Lori D. Franklin, and Karen A. Gray Introduction to the Cases, by Terry A. Wolfer and Vicki M. Runnion 1. No Place Like Home, by Lori D. Franklin 2. Gay-for-Pay, by Lori D. Franklin 3. But Someone Could Die!, by Karen A. Gray and Anna Woodham 4. Believing Women, by Gecole Harley and Terry A. Wolfer 5. I Knew This Internship Thing Would Blow Up!, by Gecole Harley and Terry A. Wolfer 6. Child Collectors?, by Lori D. Franklin 7. I'm a Social Worker!, by Karen A. Gray and Julie Sprinkle 8. Flying Flags in Alabama, by Noel Busch-Armendariz, Dawnovise N. Fowler, and Terry A. Wolfer 9. Private, Dismissed, by Michelle Hovis and Lori D. Franklin 10. Wandering, by Lori D. Franklin and Danielle R. Snyder 11. A Matter of Life and Death?, by Susy Villegas, Monica M. Alzate, and Karen A. Gray 12. Exposed, by David Pooler and Terry A. Wolfer 13. Nowhere to Skate, by Laura B. Poindexter and Terry A. Wolfer 14. Driven to Drink, by Terry A. Wolfer 15. "Don't Tell Her," by Sean Siberio and Terry A. Wolfer Index