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Social work has traversed a vast expanse since its roots in settlement houses and as friendly visitors to making a profound mark on the world of social science research. The authors begin by examining the role of research in the social work profession and then discuss current changes, directions, and challenges in the pursuit of research funds. Highlighted will be Career Development Awards, specifically the Mentored Research Scientist Development Award or the K01 mechanism offered by the National Institutes of Health. A historical context is set, the mechanism. described, and two social work K01 grantees illustrate the utility and promise of this funding source for conducting social work research. This manuscript aims to help readers determine (a) if the K mechanism is a good fit with their goals and needs and (b) how to pursue a K-Award successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the impact of managed care on the substance abuse service system by reviewing the current status of the programs that were among the elite service providers in 1988. A survey was conducted assessing the status of the one hundred centers touted as "the 100 best treatment centers for alcoholism and drug abuse" (Sunshine & Wright, 1988). Findings include the following: Almost a third of these centers (31 %) are no longer providing services, the majority of the programs who reported data continue to provide services primarily at a residential level of care (92%); however occupancy rates haye dropped, the number of annual inpatient admissions have risen, and the length of treatment episodes has significantly decreased. In 1988, almost all (97.5%) facilities adhered to the 28-day treatment regiment, as evidenced by average treatment episodes of 26 days or longer. However, in 2001, the majority of programs (57.5%) reported treatment episodes of 25 days or less. While these facilities represent a fraction of the number of facilities that provide substance abuse services, they do exemplify elite programs that should be insulated from economic troubles, and help to document the changes that have occurred in the delivery system. Awareness of these changes is important for every social worker that advocates for substance abuse services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a preface to the March 2005 issue of the "Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions," on the substance abuse behaviors of Latino populations in the U.S. and the effectiveness of culturally relevant drug treatment and prevention services.

This article presents a postmodern, feminist framework as a foundation for a social work student field unit with women inmates in the corrections system. Feminist pedagogical methods were developed and implemented for this field unit and, once trained, the students utilized feminist social work skills within the jail environment. The case study illustrates the field unit design, student learning processes, and examples of student interventions. In addition to becoming skillful clinicians, student interns became social change agents within the corrections system. Implications for micro, meso, and macro levels of social work practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]