Known for its engaging writing style and use of many current examples and cases of human service practitioners at work, this text proveides complete and up-to-date coverage of social welfare programs and policies, and describes how history, politics, and the economy shape the programs. It puts the field of human services into a historical context, provides insights into the overall social welfare field, and gives concrete examples of how primary intervention strategies are put into daily practice in human service agencies. It also provides a well-rounded look at the many options offered in the field of human services and discusses the stresses that a human service worker will face in day-to-day work, with practical suggestions for avoiding burnout. It also compares the U.S. social welfare systems to systems in other countries, and uses a strong multicultural and social systems approach that distinguishes it from other texts.