<p> The volume emphasizes families and children whose primary recourse to services has been through publicly funded child welfare agencies. The book considers historical areas of service--foster care and adoptions, in-home family centered services, child-protective services, and residential services--where social work has an important role. Authors also address how child welfare programs interface with the many fields of practice in which child and family services are provided or that involve substantial numbers of social work programs, such as services to adolescent parents, child mental health, education, and juvenile justice agencies. This new edition will continue to serve as a fundamental introduction for new practitioners, as well as summary of recent developments for experienced policymakers. administrators and practitioners. <i>Peter J. Pecora</i> is managing director of research services for the Casey Family Programs and professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Washington. He is the author of numerous professional articles and books. <i>James K. Whittaker</i> is Charles O. Cressey endowed professor in the School of Social Work, University of Washington. He is a frequent consultant on family support and group care interventions. He is the series editor of Modern Applications of Social Work for Transaction Publishers. <i>Anthony N. Maluccio</i> is Professor Emeritus, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. <i>Richard P. Barth</i> is Professor and Dean, School of Social Work, University of Maryland. <i>Diane DePanfilis </i>is Professor and Associate Dean, School of Work, University of Maryland. <i>Robert D. Plotnick </i>is Professor, Daniel Evans School of Public Affairs, University of Washington.</p>