Lesson 1

What is social work?

Change Agent

Social worker, other helping professional, or a group of helpers whose purpose is to facilitate improvement.

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Nonprofit national association representing over 3,000 individual members, 191 graduate programs, and 463 undergraduate programs of professional social work education.

Diversity Perspective

Theoretical framework emphasizing the broad and varied differences of social workers and their clients.

Ecological Systems Framework

Perspective focusing on understanding people, their environments, and their transactions.

Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards

Criteria guiding schools of social work in developing professional social work curricula.

Empowerment

Psychological state reflecting a sense of competence, control, and entitlement.

General Systems Theory

Belief that behavior of people and societies is explained by identifying components of subsystems.

Micro Practice

Work to help individuals, families, and small groups function better within the larger environment.

Macro Practice

Work to change the larger social environment for the benefit of individuals and families.

National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

Membership organization of professional social workers with a focus on professional growth.

Person-in-Environment

Perspective used by social workers to understand clients' interactions with their environment.

Self-Determination

Clients making their own choices and valuing the role of social workers.

Standards for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice

Behaviors, knowledge, skills, and attitudes for effective cross-cultural responses.

Strengths Perspective

View that emphasizes clients’ strengths, resources, and support networks.