1st Edition
Contemporary Issues in Human Services Special Topics for Clinical Practice, Public Health, and Social Justice
This text informs human services students and practitioners on complex contemporary issues in the human services, public health, and clinical social work fields, allowing them to be more agile and better‑prepared agents and leaders of change.
Dr. James C. Wadley brings together a collection of critical perspectives from the top human service practitioners, administrators, advocates, and leaders in the field. Chapters consider contemporary issues such as social justice, sexuality, ability and disability, policy formation, pedagogy, mental health, sociopolitical perspectives, constructions of race and gender, and social positioning and identities. This text helps readers in human services, public health, and social work fields expand their understanding about service access and coordination, resource delivery, and the potential implications for a variety of populations and settings. Each chapter offers an opportunity to engage professionals, students, clients, and constituents in meaningful dialogue about sensitive issues that impact a range of communities and individuals. This book also offers a wealth of strategies, insights, interventions, and suggestions for students and practitioners to consider while working with a myriad of populations.
This book is an invaluable resource for human service professionals, social workers, policymakers, mental health practitioners, and community behavioral health professionals, as well as undergraduate and graduate students.
SECTION I: Leading Conversations about Clinical Practice in Human Services
1. Therapists’ grief: Creativity as Part of an Essential Ethical Practice
Rebecca Arnold
2. Trauma-Informed Human Service Practices
Deirdre O’Sullivan, Jennifer L. Hanna, Shyrun Karandikar
3. Sense of Belonging in Interprofessional Collaboration
Luanne Shaw & Scott Shaw
4. Partner Abuse in Domestic and Dating Relationships: How Trauma Impacts the Brain, the Family, and Functioning
Corinne D. Warrener
5. The Power of Play: Exploring the Efficacy of Play Therapy in Child Abuse Cases Michelle M. Pliske
6. Digital Community Exploration(s): How Can Incel community Insight(s) Inform Generalist Human Services Practice in the Digital Era
Cayetana Calderon-Smith
7. Connected Recovery™: Therapeutic Navigation of Problematic and Out-of-Control Sexual Behavior
Laney Knowlton
SECTION II: Leading Conversations about Public Health and Human Services
8. The Intersection of Public Health and Human Services
Neil E. Duchac, Jill S. Minor, Jonah N. Duchac
9. One Health and Human Services: A Course in Land Based Care Work
Melina McConatha and Nikki DiGregorio
10. Navigating Parental Challenges in Child Welfare: Strategies for Enhancing Family Resilience
Devin Wadley
11. Nothing without Us!: Working in Community with Disabled Persons
Mia Ocean, Melissa Hirschi, Meagan Corrado, and Lashirah Warren Glenn
12. Supporting Graduate Students’ Mental Health: Addressing Challenges for Underrepresented Communities
Adrian Rodriguez
13. Shifting the Narrative in Healthcare: From “Limited English Proficiency” to “Limited Linguistic and Cultural Competence”
Neda Moinolmolki
14. Reframing Adolescent Development Through the Lens of Cascading Collective Trauma
Daya Patton
15. Treating Adults Living with Perinatally Acquired HIV
Angela M. Wilbon
16. Human Services and Sexuality Consultation: The Need to Move Beyond Clinical Discomfort in Talking about Sex
Anastasia Gorden
17. The Impact of Loss, Death, and Bereavement Across the Lifespan
Michelle M. Pliske
SECTION III: Leading Conversations: Cultural Considerations and Social Justice
18. “Edge Dancers: Mixed Heritage Identity Negotiation of Multi-Racial/Ethnic Students in Higher Education. Are They Welcome in Human Services Departments?”
Mikel Hogan
19. Health Equity: Addressing a Social Justice imperative for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) through a Population Health Framework
Darrin E. Wright
20. Death Customs: Cross-Cultural Issues of Grief and Bereavement
Rolanda L. Ward, Isiah Marshall Jr., Pedro M. Hernandez, Patrice R. Jenkins
21. A "Real World" Social Work Analysis of Child and Family Welfare:
Implications for Culturally Competent Interventions to Address 21st Century Issues
Irma J. Gibson
22. Being Still…: Reflections about Professionalism, Friendship, and
Internalized White Supremacy in Human Services
Jasalynne Northcross
23. Access to Artificial Intelligence (AI) Art: Healing Trauma and Transforming Children and Youth in Marginalized Communities
Treva Gray Jones
24. Creating a Beloved Community: A Radical Approach to Unlearning Racism
Tracy Robinson Whitaker
25. Multiculturalism in Human Services: Challenges and Solutions
Beverly Edwards
SECTION IV: Leading Conversations about Human Services and Education
26. Creative Means to Address Mental Health in the African American Community: Arts, Advocacy, and Awareness
Denise F. Brown
27. Addressing Empathy Deficits in College-age Students Utilizing Social Work Pedagogy Amid Social Shifts
Sandra R. Williamson-Ashe
28. The New Homeschool Movement: What human services professionals need to know
Emilee Prins and Scott Shaw
SECTION V: Leading Conversations about Human Services Trends
29. Human Service Transformations and Emergent Trends
James C. Wadley
Biography
James C. Wadley, PhD, is a professor in the Human Services Department at Lincoln University. He is the Editor‑in‑Chief of the Journal of Black Sexuality and Relationships and founder and principal of the Association of Black Sexologists and Clinicians.
“With its diverse perspectives and actionable insights, Leading Conversations in Human Services serves as a dynamic guide for fostering critical thinking, advocacy, and leadership. It equips readers to analyze and predict trends, address systemic issues, and become effective agents of change. A must-read for those dedicated to advancing equity and innovation in human services, this book offers both inspiration and practical tools for creating meaningful impact.”
Monique Howard, EdD, MPH, senior director, Women’s Health Initiatives, Center for Global Women’s Health
“For instructors aiming to educate and graduate the next generation of Human Service professionals, Contemporary Issues in Human Services: Special Topics for Clinical Practice, Public Health, and Social Justice is the essential book. This compilation of readings will provide valuable insights and practical tools for Human Service professionals. Here, Dr. James Wadley brings together writings from a diverse pool of experts to shed light on topics like interprofessional collaboration (a future-focused trend in healthcare), best practices for supporting marginalized populations (a key factor in promoting equality), and human development-based approaches to serving individuals at various life stages (a best practice for targeted, tailored care).”
Jeannette M. Wade, PhD, associate professor and program director – Human Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
“This book is a must have for human service and public health practitioners. It offers transformative strategies for a variety of human service settings that equips professionals with the tools needed for complex situations. I can’t wait to share this book with my students and my colleagues. Awesome, indeed!”
Kamilah Woodson, PhD, Professor of Human Development and Psychoeducational Studies, Howard University
