Increasingly, social workers are working with clients from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Because ethnicity influences social workers in myriad ways, it is important for them to have a greater understanding of ethnicity and the ways in which it can influence individuals perceptions and responses to problems and treatment. Knowledge and understanding have therefore become critical for effective practice. However, knowledge is not the only factor necessary for establishing social work relationships with clients. To a large extent, the development of these relationships depends upon the...

Social workers, planners, health professionals, and human-service administrators spend much of their time in meetings, working in and with groups. What meaning does participation in these groups have for members? Some of the events that are most important for members of the various professions, and those whom they serve, take place within these groups. Health and human services depend upon their working groups for their development and allocation of resources, their standards of quality, and the evaluation of their success or failure. In short, these groups are relied upon to come up with...

Social workers, planners, health professionals, and human-service administrators spend much of their time in meetings, working in and with groups. What meaning does participation in these groups have for members? Some of the events that are most important for members of the various professions, and those whom they serve, take place within these groups. Health and human services depend upon their working groups for their development and allocation of resources, their standards of quality, and the evaluation of their success or failure. In short, these groups are relied upon to come up with...