The fifth edition of this book presents the results of the social work profession's most systematic approach to policy development. Since its inception in 1955, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has incorporated policy statements into its governance process. NASW's Delegate Assembly meets at regular intervals to set broad parameters for the association's program, to determine bylaws issues, and to agree on policy statements that will be used to guide NASW's advocacy efforts in social policy. This edition of "Social Work Speaks" includes all the new and revised policies approved by the 1999 NASW Delegate Assembly, as well as those approved by previous assemblies. This edition contains 57 statements, 22 approved by the 1999 Delegate Assembly and 35 approved by previous assemblies. They are offered in alphabetical order, with a compilation of topic areas that lists policy statements in 17 topic areas. Policy statement topic areas include: adolescents, aging, child welfare, community, discrimination and equity issues, education, employment, ethnicity and race, families and children, family planning, gender issues, health, macro issues, political action, social work professional statements, substance abuse, and violence. This book may be used as a text or as supplementary reading for overview, introductory, or macro courses in social policy. The book may also serve as an adjunct to a wide range of specialty courses, as so many of the policy statements address specific fields of practice. (GCP)