Forensic Social Work: Psychosocial and Legal Issues Across Diverse Populations and Settings

This extensively revised edition reviews the latest research and practices in forensic social work. Readers learn to integrate socio-legal knowledge when working with diverse populations in a variety of settings. Noted interdisciplinary contributors review the most common forensic issues encountered in the field to better prepare readers to deal with the resulting financial, psychological, emotional, and legal ramifications. Using a human rights and social justice approach, the book demonstrates the use of a forensic lens when working with individuals, families, organizations, and communities who struggle with human rights and social justice issues. Each chapter features objectives, competencies, Voices from the Field, a summary, exercises, and additional resources.

Features:

• Highlights working with various populations such as minorities, immigrants, veterans, the elderly, LGBTQ persons, persons with disabilities, substance abusers, trauma survivors, and more.
• Reviews the field’s conceptual and historical foundation and pertinent laws to better prepare readers for professional practice (Part 1).
• Introduces the most common forensic issues encountered when working in various settings including health care, social and protective services, the child welfare system, the criminal justice system, school systems, immigration services, addiction treatment facilities, and more (Part 2).
• Provides a wealth of practical guidance via case studies and interviewing, assessment, and intervention tips.
• Voices from the Field written by seasoned practitioners introduce common situations readers are likely to encounter.

New to this Edition:

• Highlights the 2015 Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Policies and Accreditation Standards throughout the text.
• Greatly expanded coverage from 26 to 32 chapters with more on healthcare, housing, employment, the juvenile and criminal justice system, adult protective services, and the dynamics of oppression.
• New Part dedicated to the core skills that must be mastered by forensic social workers including evidence-based assessments and interventions, forensic interviewing, expert testimonies, case and policy advocacy, program development, and research and evaluation (Part 3).
• Highlights the latest interventions including trauma informed and restorative justice practices.
• Updated content related to the DSM-5 and healthcare reform.
• Reflects the latest immigration policies, criminal justice reform, the Violence Against Women Act, and the Older Americans Act.
• More instructor resources including sample syllabi, Power Points, interviewing, evaluation, and assessment forms and checklists.

Ideal for MSW and BSW courses in forensic social work as well as forensic/legal courses taught in criminal justice and psychology, practitioners working in a variety of settings who must have a working knowledge of forensic social work will appreciate this book’s comprehensive overview of the field.

George Stuart Leibowitz, Ph.D., LICSW, is Professor at Stony Brook University, School of Social Welfare in New York.

Tina Maschi, PhD, LCSW, ACSW, is an associate professor at the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service where she teaches research, practice, and human rights and social justice.