Working Under the Safety Net: Policy and Practice with the New American Poor

Working Under the Safety Net focuses on groups most affected by changes in welfare state policy over the last decade — the homeless, the hungry, the elderly, Black single mothers, the physically disabled and the new unemployed. The authors analyze the policy debate surrounding the needs of each group, synthesize the policy debate and distil the practical and organizational lessons into a new and exciting framework.

Review

“Social policy analysts have used the term `safety net’ to define the minimum level of care that government will provide for the basic human needs of its citizens. Burghardt and Fabricant have developed strategies to assist those who are falling and sometimes remaining below the welfare safety net. Included in this vulnerable population are the homeless, the hungry, older Americans, blacks, female single parents, the physically disabled, and the new unemployed. From the Great Depression to the start of the Reagan administration some form of government assistance has been provided for these groups. Since the 1980s, however, domestic policy has threatened to displace them from the government welfare system. The authors illustrate the research-policy-practice continuum used in providing direct and indirect services to each group. Examples of case and class advocacy are cited to demonstrate the wide range of skills needed by practitioners when serving these populations. The work examines the interrelationship between policy and practice that is essential for the preparation of professional workers. Highly recommended for upper-division undergraduate and graduate students in social work and human services, and for citizens concerned about the plight of the new poor.” –E.J. Norman, University of North Dakota