Table of Contents

Preface
1. Rural Communities and Social Work: An Introduction
Why Rural Social Work?
What Is Rural?
Is Rurality Confined to Small Towns and Communities?
What Is Unique About Rural Social Work?
Rewards and Challenges of Rural Social Work
Conclusion
2. Rural Culture and Behavior
Rural Values
Microsystems
Mezzosystems
Macrosystems
Change in the 21st Century
Conclusion
3. Diversity in Rural Communities
Rural Diversity
African Americans
Hispanics
Native Americans
Sexual Orientation: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer
Senior Citizens
Conclusion
4. Rural Social Welfare Policy
Social Welfare Policy
Social Policy and Rural People
Effects of Social Policy on Rural Communities
Identifying and Addressing Disparity in Rural Policy
Conclusion
5. Social Welfare Services in Rural Communities
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Rural Health Care Services
Child Welfare
Domestic Violence
Services for Veterans
Services for Immigrants
Conclusion
6. History and Development of Rural Social Work
Origins of the Rural Myth
Industrialization and the Rise of Social Work
Serving the Dependent in Smaller Towns and Rural Areas in the 19th and Early 20th Centuries
Country Lifers and the Early Concerns About Rural Communities: 1900-1920
The Growth of Rural Social Work Practice and the Great Depression: The 1920s and 1930s
Retreat from Rural Assistance: The 1940s and 1950s
The Renaissance of Rural Social Work: The 1960s and 1970s
Continued Growth: The 1980s and 1990s
The 21st Century
Reconnecting with the Past: Rural Social Work Then and Now
Conclusion
7. A Model for Rural Social Work
Rurality and the Practice of Social Work in Small Communities
Rural Social Work: Is It Different from Urban Practice?
Generalist Social Work Versus Community-Based Practice
Rural Strengths and Assets
Rural Relationships and Social Work Practice
A Model for Rural Social Work
Down-Home Model of Social Work
Applying the Down-Home Model
Advanced Rural Practice
Conclusion
8. Ethical Rural Practice
The Rural Fishbowl as a Context for Ethical Practice
Social Work Ethics and Ethical Decision-Making
Dual Relationships
Confidentiality
Competency and Adequacy of Practice
Personal and Professional Identity
Relationships with Colleagues
Ethical Rural Practice
Conclusion
9. Rural Social Work Practice
The Person-in-Environment Perspective
The Strengths Perspective
Generalist Practice and Social Systems
Problem-Solving
Characteristics of Rural Social Workers
Conclusion
10. Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice for Rural Communities
Social Justice and Rural Communities
Economic Justice for Rural Areas
Environmental Justice for Rural Communities
What to Do? Addressing Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice for Rural Communities
Conclusion
11. Challenges for the Future
Rural Communities: Perception, Reality, and Demands of the 21st Century
Rural People and Change for the 21st Century
Social Work in Rural Practice
Conclusion
Index

About the Author

Michael R. Daley, PhD, LMSW-AP, ACSW, Chair & Professor, Department of Social Work Texas A&M University-Central Texas; Editor-in Chief, Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work. He is a past president of both the National Rural Social Work Caucus and the Association of Social Work Baccalaureate Program Directors (BPD).

Reviews

"The book is an inspiring reflective, strength-based and contemporary examination of social work practice with people living in rural communities and with rural lifestyles. It conveys and captures the essential intersectionality of diversity, knowledge, values and skills for working with this population. Moreover, it enhances the consciousness of readers in understanding the true character of rural people and their lifestyles." -- Freddie L. Avant, Stephen F.
Austin State University
"Dr. Daley has scored a hat trick. His Rural Social Work expands the knowledge base, offers useful practice tips, and paints invaluable pictures of rural life and culture. But he had me when he quoted Hazel Dickens!" -- Sam Hickman, NASW West Virginia
"Once again, Michael offers a comprehensive overview of rural social work practice within the United States. This edition adds a much needed chapter on social, economic, and environmental justice given the often disproportionate injustices experienced within rural communities. A must read for any social work practitioner working in, researching about, or teaching on content related to rural communities." -- Karen Rice, Millersville University