7 New Social Services Books Reshaping 2025 Insights

What started as a need for straightforward, no-fuss documentation in schools became Alaina Schrader's "The Student Services Record Book," a tool tailored for school counselors, social workers, and therapists. This book walks you through organizing detailed student profiles, covering attendance, GPA, interests, and personal strengths, alongside recording every counseling session or intervention. With dedicated pages per student and space for extracurriculars and leadership notes, it helps you see each student as a whole person, not just data points. If your role involves tracking student progress and providing personalized support, this book offers a clear, practical framework without the clutter.

Elizabeth Best-Martini, Mary Anne Weeks, and Priscilla Wirth bring decades of direct experience in long-term care to this updated edition, which addresses pressing challenges such as infection control and trauma-informed care. You’ll gain detailed knowledge about integrating person-centered activities with regulatory compliance, navigating social services roles, and managing interdisciplinary teams effectively. The book offers practical guidance on working with residents with dementia, short-term rehab stays, and family engagement, supported by updated forms and case examples like Barbara’s story. If you’re involved in long-term care or recreational therapy, this text equips you to create environments that balance care quality with regulatory demands, though those outside these fields may find it specialized.

This tailored book explores the forefront of social services developments anticipated in 2025, offering a focused examination of emerging trends and discoveries that shape the field. It reveals the latest insights into policy shifts, service innovations, and systemic reforms, all curated to match your background and specific interests. By concentrating on what matters most to you, this personalized guide encourages a deep understanding of how social services are evolving and what new approaches are gaining momentum. It also examines the implications of these cutting-edge developments for practice and advocacy, providing a rich learning experience that aligns precisely with your goals. This customized exploration transforms vast, complex changes into accessible knowledge tailored for your professional growth.

After analyzing the latest updates and policy shifts, the Social Security Administration compiled this handbook to clarify complex Social Security programs for 2024. You’ll learn how benefits are administered, who qualifies under various programs like retirement and disability, and the procedural steps for submitting claims. The book breaks down rights and obligations under Social Security laws, including guidance on protecting benefits and monitoring policy changes. This is particularly useful if you navigate Social Security systems professionally or personally, helping you make sense of intricate rules and plan accordingly.

The methods Jessica Pryce developed while working as a child protective services caseworker reveal the deep-rooted biases and systemic failures within the child welfare system. Drawing from her own career and personal connections, she walks you through the everyday realities faced by Black families entangled in the system, exposing how well-intentioned interventions often cause harm. The book challenges you to rethink traditional approaches by highlighting the dissonance between policy and lived experience, especially in how separations affect children. If you're involved in social work or interested in reforming child welfare, Pryce’s insights offer a candid, thought-provoking perspective that pushes for radical change.

S.A. Ferguson MSW draws from extensive practical experience in social work to clarify the often-overwhelming task of documenting client interactions. You’ll gain concrete skills in crafting precise, objective case notes that capture critical details without unnecessary complexity, enhancing your ability to communicate client needs effectively. The book delves into client-centered approaches that help you write notes reflecting empathy while maintaining professional clarity, with practical exercises to sharpen your writing. This guide suits both newcomers eager to build strong documentation habits and seasoned professionals aiming to deepen their impact through better record-keeping.

This personalized book explores strategic foresight and planning tailored to your unique background and goals in social services. It delves into emerging developments anticipated in 2025, helping you navigate evolving demands with confidence. The content examines how future challenges in social services might unfold, offering a focused exploration that matches your interests and experience level. By concentrating on your specific aims, it reveals cutting-edge insights and recent discoveries to keep you ahead in a changing landscape. This tailored approach ensures you engage deeply with relevant knowledge, empowering you to anticipate and prepare effectively for future social services scenarios.

Drawing from her expertise at the UNC School of Government, Kristi Nickodem crafted this guide to clarify the often complex roles and legal frameworks surrounding local social services boards in North Carolina. You gain a clear understanding of the statutory powers, duties, and responsibilities of county social services boards and directors, with detailed chapters covering laws that govern board functions and the scope of programs available. This book serves not only board members but also county managers and attorneys who need a reliable reference to navigate governance and program implementation within local social services. If your work involves managing or overseeing social services in North Carolina, this book offers a precise roadmap to your legal and operational landscape.

After analyzing the intertwined nature of policy and social work, Linda Cummins and her co-authors developed a textbook that grounds policy practice firmly within an ethic of care. You explore not only the historical and political-economic context shaping social welfare but also gain concrete skills like lobbying, coalition building, and policy evaluation. The book is particularly useful if you're aiming to understand how social workers can influence policy at various government levels while maintaining a commitment to social justice. For example, the second part offers vivid case studies on mobilizing advocacy publics, making it clear that this is a guide for practitioners ready to engage deeply with policy.