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Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, 5th Edition

Elizabeth A. Segal

  • Copyright 2027
  • {{checkPublicationMessage('Published', '2026-02-06T00:00:00+0000')}}
Starting At $77.95 See pricing and ISBN options
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Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective 5th Edition by Elizabeth A. Segal
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Overview

Segal's 5th Edition, enables students to identify, describe and analyze social welfare policies -- but that's not all. This thought-provoking book also draws readers into an examination of the values and beliefs that drive our social welfare system. Segal demonstrates how the myriad values of diverse groups in America have influenced current policies, and helps students recognize that analysis takes place through the lens of these often opposing values. Students also learn how these policy insights can be applied to influence the policy-making process. The dual themes of critical thinking and critical evaluation provide the framework of the book, and Segal's inclusion of international perspectives on values around social welfare policies and social programs heightens students' awareness of the global implications of social work around the world.

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Meet the Authors

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Elizabeth A. Segal

Elizabeth A. Segal is a professor emerita of Arizona State University's School of Social Work. Along with this text, Dr. Segal has multiple publications, including an introduction to social work text, two books on empathy and numerous journal articles. She is a co-founder and an editor emeritus of the Journal of Poverty. Her areas of research and interest include inequality, social justice and social empathy.

What's New

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  • New Learning Objectives guide students through each chapter's content and outline the content and skills they can expect to learn.
  • Thoroughly updated content reflects the latest research, policies and data, including the impact of COVID-19 on public health and social welfare.
  • Timely analysis of major legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act, CARES Act and Families First Prevention Services Act connects students to real-world policy.
  • The text explores voter suppression and social movements to show how public opinion and activism shape social welfare policy.

Features

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  • Skills and resources to conduct policy analysis are introduced early, helping students easily navigate policy discussions in arenas of critical concern and key social policies.
  • Values-based framework with What Do You Think? prompts encourages ethical reflection and critical thinking.
  • Career-focused features like More About boxes and debate prompts connect course content to real-world practice and professional preparation.
  • This text is aligned with CSWE EPAS 2022, with Helping Hands icons highlighting required competencies and practice behaviors for accreditation support.

Table of Contents

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Part I: UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL WELFARE.
1. Social Welfare Policy and Underlying Values.
2. Historical Foundations of Social Welfare in America.
3. Conceptual Foundations of Social Welfare Policy.
4. Analyzing and Researching Social Welfare Policies.
5. The Delivery of Social Welfare Services.
Part II: CRITICAL CONCERNS THAT AFFECT ALL ARENAS OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
6. Social Justice and Civil Rights.
7. Poverty and Economic Inequality.
8. Economics, Employment, Budgets, and Taxes.
Part III: KEY SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS.
9. Social Insurance.
10. Aging and Social Welfare Policy.
11. Children and Families.
12. Health Care Policy.
Part IV: BUILDING ON OUR KNOWLEDGE OF SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS.
13. United States Social Welfare Policies and International Comparisons.
14. Policy Practice and the Impact of Social Welfare Policies.

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Each MindTap product offers the full, mobile-ready textbook combined with superior and proven learning tools at one affordable price. Students who purchase digital access can add a print option at any time when a print option is available for their course.

This Cengage solution can be seamlessly integrated into most Learning Management Systems (Blackboard, Brightspace by D2L, Canvas, Moodle, and more) but does require a different ISBN for access codes. Please work with your Cengage Learning Consultant to ensure the proper course set up and ordering information. For additional information, please visit the LMS Integration site.

Standalone Digital Access — Ultimate Value

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  • ISBN-10: 8214130700
  • ISBN-13: 9798214130705
  • RETAIL $105.95
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Textbook Only Options

Traditional eBook and Print Options

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  • ISBN-10: 8214130735
  • ISBN-13: 9798214130736
  • RETAIL $77.95

  • ISBN-10: 8214130646
  • ISBN-13: 9798214130644
  • RETAIL $258.95
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Supplements

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Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

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MindTap for Segal's Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, 1 term Instant Access

ISBN: 9798214130705
MindTap for Segal’s “Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective," 5th Edition, is the digital learning solution that powers students from memorization to mastery. It gives you complete control of your course to provide engaging content, challenge every individual and build their confidence. Empower students to accelerate their progress with MindTap. MindTap: Powered by You. MindTap provides complete ownership of your course content and learning experience. Tailor your course content to reflect your unique teaching style, address key course needs and enhance student engagement and comprehension. Customize the interactive syllabi, emphasize the most important topics and add your own material or notes in the eBook.