Social Work And Integration In Immigrant Communities

There has been a marked rise in global migration with many former countries of emigration becoming immigration destinations. As a result of this, social workers increasingly encounter immigrant clients and are called upon to work in their communities. At the same time, in the field of research, theories, conceptual frames, perspectives and discourse have materialized and evolved to make sense of contemporary events. Social work professionals, researchers and students must, therefore, need to be apprised of current thinking, research and discourse in the field of integration. Valtonen familiarizes the reader with the variation in national policies, institutional arrangements and service responses, which all provide rich contrasts and insights into a breadth of policy possibilities. Since macro-level developments in migration carry direct implications for social work as a discipline and a profession with a central stake and role in immigrant wellbeing, this book provides salient information to help with visioning in the profession, defining appropriate and concerted responses, and building robust standing in the field as well as promoting the linking of disciplinary and multidisciplinary research with practice.

There has been a marked rise in global migration with many former countries of emigration becoming destinations of immigration. As such, social workers are increasingly called upon to work in immigrant communities, while in the field of research, theories, conceptual frames, perspectives and discourse have materialized and evolved to make sense of contemporary events. Valtonen familiarizes the reader with the variation in national policies, institutional arrangements and service responses, and provides salient information to help with visioning in the profession, defining appropriate and concerted responses, and building robust standing in the field as well as promoting the linking of disciplinary and multidisciplinary research with practice.

There has been a marked rise in global migration with many former countries of emigration becoming immigration destinations. As a result of this, social workers increasingly encounter immigrant clients and are called upon to work in their communities. At the same time, in the field of research, theories, conceptual frames, perspectives and discourse have materialized and evolved to make sense of contemporary events. Social work professionals, researchers and students must, therefore, need to be apprised of current thinking, research and discourse in the field of integration. Valtonen familiarizes the reader with the variation in national policies, institutional arrangements and service responses, which all provide rich contrasts and insights into a breadth of policy possibilities. Since macro-level developments in migration carry direct implications for social work as a discipline and a profession with a central stake and role in immigrant wellbeing, this book provides salient information to help with visioning in the profession, defining appropriate and concerted responses, and building robust standing in the field as well as promoting the linking of disciplinary and multidisciplinary research with practice.

When migrants reach their new home, we often interpret their settlement and integration as an individual process driven largely by the labour market. But family plays a crucial role. Putting Family First investigates the experience of immigrant families settling in Greater Toronto, from newcomers’ initial reception to their deep involvement in and attachment to their receiving society. Contributors explore such themes as the policy environment, children and youth, gender, labour markets and work, and community supports in order to illustrate how the family context can be mobilized to facilitate the successful integration of newcomers.

Rather than focusing on specific groups, this book takes a pan-cultural perspective that focuses on the common experiences of refugees and immigrants. It presents a best-practice for each problem area defined.

Social work increasingly finds itself at the frontline of issues pertaining to immigrant and refugee settlement and integration. In this timely book, Kathleen Valtonen provides the first book-length study on the challenges these issues create for the profession. Drawing on a wide range of research in migration which is not widely available to social workers or included in social work literature, she offers readers an opportunity to explore the capacity of the profession to take a primary role in the course and outcome of settlement. The book fills a gap in the social work literature by providing scholars, practitioners and students with a critical knowledge base that will strengthen their ability to engage with issues of immigration and integration and to open up options for effective practice with growing numbers of immigrant and refugee clients.

People whose work brings them into contact with immigrants and their families are concerned about the serious personal and social problems they may face in establishing themselves in Britain. Originally published in 1972, Juliet Cheetham here explores the origin and nature of these difficulties and discusses the contributions and limitations of social work in meeting the needs of immigrants, their relatives and some of the organizations involved with them at the time. Drawing on her own field experience, the author deals with fundamental issues in race relations, together with the problems of poor urban areas in which most immigrants have settled. She also considers the backgrounds of some of the main immigrant groups, their family structure, and the pressures and anxieties they experience in moving into a new environment. She examines as well the special skills and understanding that social workers in this field need to develop. This is a perceptive study which raised fundamental questions about the values, objectives and methods of social work at the time. Even today it will also provide social workers with a stimulus to re-think the basis of some of their activities. This book is a re-issue originally published in 1972. The language used, and assumptions made, are a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

"This book is an optimal tool for instructors and students of graduate classes in social work and related disciplines." --Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health "I applaud social work students, professors, and social workers who seek to serve and empower the immigrant community. This text is a great tool toward raising awareness of the many issues immigrants face, and helping them find solutions." --Frank Sharry, Executive Director, America's Voice "The book is a major contribution to social workers and their clients as it addresses advocacy on behalf of immigrants and refugees during a social, economic and political period that restricts immigrants' rights and service access." --Dr. Diane Drachman, Associate Professor, University of Connecticut School of Social Work Successful social work with immigrants must begin with an understanding of their legal status and how that status impacts their housing, employment, health care, education, and virtually every other aspect of life. Chang-Muy and Congress present social workers with the only book on the market to emphasize the legal aspect of immigrant issues as well as critical practice and advocacy issues. Topics discussed include historical and current trends in immigration, applicable theories for practice with immigrants, policy and advocacy methods, and the need for cultural competence. By providing comprehensive coverage of both the legal and practice issues of this complex field, this book will help social service professionals and graduate students increase their cultural sensitivity and work more effectively with immigrants. Key Features: Covers the latest aspects of the immigration debate and discusses how social workers are affected by emerging immigration policies Discusses special populations such as refugees, elderly immigrants, and victims of international trafficking Includes case studies on the most critical issues immigrants face today: legal processes, physical and mental health issues, employment difficulties, family conflicts, and more Instructional Materials Available! Free to instructors with a verified order of seven or more copies. Email [email protected] to request syllabus and PowerPoint slides.