The Latino population is the fastest growing group in the United States; thus, it is imperative that social workers and other mental health practitioners be knowledgeable about the current literature on how to effectively serve this population. This article elucidates key issues and knowledge, such as immigration and migration concerns; discusses…

Nearly 25 years ago, Allen-Meares and Lane appraised the status of adaptive behavior assessments in use at the time, citing their usefulness and relevance to the overall assessment of school children. This article revisits those instruments and examines select current instruments to gauge whether they include the multicultural sensitivity required…

Reports on the results of a systematic assessment of the interpersonal difficulties encountered by in-home service providers serving the frail elderly. Presents a typology of problematic interpersonal situations, along with suggestions for training, assessment, and supervision of clients and workers. (JAC)

Presents, in light-hearted way, a few rules of evaluation practice wisdom that, if followed, would result in more rigorous and useful evaluations of human services programs. Although none of the ideas is totally original, it is suggested that as a group they provide handy checklist for practitioners who are developing or assessing evaluation…

Presents a literature review on outcome measures in social work quality assurance programs. Describes study using a quasi-experimental design and the idiographic instrument of goal attainment scaling using 9 social workers who scaled individual goals for 30 patients under the guidance of a committee. Concludes outcome may be a less direct…

Notes that several recent court decisions have questioned reliability and validity of anatomical dolls as assessment and evidentiary tool. Reviews literature on the use of anatomical dolls and highlights issues concerning their diagnostic and forensic efficacy. Identifies and discusses implications of the use of these dolls for social work…

Describes results of a national survey of clinical social workers (N=362) about the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III). Results showed clinical social workers felt DSM-III has few scientific or clinical advantages, but respondents did recognize its business functions. (Author)

Explores issues related to testing and certification of social workers and discusses the National Association of Social Workers' experience in the assessment of competence. Explores formulation of definitions, determination of standards, and construction of quality instruments. (JAC)

A model presented for assessing the effectiveness of school social workers has two major dimensions: criteria for evaluating the success of a program, and modalities for the application of those criteria. The author also examines other factors, such as the relationship of effort to the achievement of goals. (Author)

The use of single-subject designs in peer review, in utilization review, and in other quality-assurance audits is encouraged. Presents an overview of the methodologies of single-subject designs and quality assurance, and provides examples of cases in which single-subject techniques furnished relevant quality assurance documentation. (Author/ABB)

The diversified expertise of social welfare professionals in urban development areas is a key to increasing their participation in assessing the social impact of municipal development. The experience of a Chicago program suggests specific ways of restoring social concerns to urban planning. (Author/BEF)

The purpose of this article is to present data from an ongoing evaluation of a particular social work program to illustrate how organizing the research design to include promising variables can influence results -- in one case showing little effect, in the other, important findings. (Author)

The Citizen Feedback Project was conducted in two of the eight districts in New York City in an effort to create a channel for average citizens to relay their problems, needs and recommendations to city administrators. (Author)

Examines social network concepts to explore their potential use for social work practice. Discusses trends, strengths, and gaps in knowledge about social networks, particularly in relation to natural helping. Sets out current problems in the use of social network concepts in pratice and suggests some directions for future work. (Author/ABB)

Explores the manifestations and consequences of community violence in the lives of children and youth. Presents an assessment framework with which social workers may examine the impact of community violence in the lives of their young clients at risk and discusses psychosocial sequelae for young people exposed to community violence. (RJM)