1

Definitions

Definitions

Veronica Lugo Rodriguez

Department of Social Work Ana G Mendez University

SWGR 506: Social Work with Individuals and Families.

Professor Zaimara Rodriguez

03/17/2024
 2
Definitions

Definitions

Social Work

Social work can be defined in many ways, but it is considered a practice that is focused on

promoting social changes and development. It is also a profession in which professionals are

engaged and committed to helping and empowering vulnerable people and communities. Social

Work is considered a game-changer as many professionals in the field work in communities to

find positive ways and strategies to these communities move forward and face the challenges in

their lives. Professionals assist their clients in building the environments in which they want to

live in, through co-determination, co-production, and social responsibility. Economic health

cannot be seized if social health is doing poorly.

In summary, a social worker has many roles many of them to fight for the rights of the

vulnerable and minorities but to also empower. A social worker works hard to provide tools so

that their clients can improve their lives on their own. A social worker also has the responsibility

as a professional to follow all ethics in a proper concise manner.

 3
Definitions

Generalist Social Work

Generalist Social Work introduces undergraduate students to the basic concepts of social

work including working with Individuals, Families, Groups, and Communities. Generalist

Social workers can be found in many settings, like shelters, domestic violence programs, child

welfare, and nursing homes. Generalist Social works have a generic set of assessment, planning,

and intervention. In

generalist social work the student is taught the problem-solving method, along with core social

work ethics and skills to help the client system maintain a good rapport with their environment.

In summary of the definition of Generalist Social Work as an undergraduate Social Worker or

with a degree in Social Work the student is prepared to apply and work in nearly any profession

within the social work field depending on your population of interest. (inderbitzen, n.d.)

National Association of Social Workers: NASAW

 4
Definitions

The National Association of Social Workers was Founded in 1955 through the merging of 7

social work associations. The purpose of the National Association of Social Workers is to

provide growth to its members and maintain the standards required in the profession. With over

140,000 members NASW is the largest organization of Social Workers in the world. The NASW

played a very crucial role in the Civil Rights movement that occurred in 1963-1965.

The NASW website offers a lot of information about the NASW as well as the history of

Social Work. Additionally, the NASW advocates for left-of-center social policies focused on

racial economic, and LGBT concerns. Importantly the NASW has a code of ethics that all social

workers must maintain throughout the lifespan of their career. A code of ethics cannot guarantee

ethical behavior; however, the code of ethics sets forth value ethical principles, & standards to

which professionals aspire and by which their actions can be judged. (NASW, n.d.).

International Federation of Social Workers”

IFSW is considered the global body of Social Work. It is the Worldwide body for Social Work.

The purpose is to contribute to a socially just world through the profession of Social Work. They

review standards of Social Work internationally. And like the other organizations they address

common issues that are affecting ethical standards in Social Work Practice and Human Rights.
 5
Definitions

Association of Social Work Boards: ASWB

The Association of Social Work Boards offers 5 exams at 5 different levels. The tests each

candidate completes are based on the level of education completed. The purpose of the test is to

measure skills and knowledge in social work areas like human development behavior, social and

economic justice and intervention processes. It is a non-profit organization of social work

licensing boards. Additionally, ASWB provides support and services to the social work

regulatory community to provide safe and ethical practices that strengthen public protection.

Council of Social Work Education: (CSWE)

It’s a national organization representing social work education. It currently includes over 750

accredited bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work. It is the primary program accredited

board for the area of Social Work. The CSWE is responsible for developing standards that

define competent preparation and ensuring Social Work programs meet them. (Social Work

Degrees, n.d.). CSWE pursues its mission by setting and maintaining policy and program

standards in Social Education programs, promoting research and faculty development and finally

advocating for social work education.

 6
Definitions

Charity Organization Societies: COS

They were private charities that existed in the late 1800’s and early 1900. The Society

believed that providing to citizens without finding out the reasons why they were in poverty

created an environment in which the citizens will always be dependent in services. These

organization societies consisted of groups of people who utilized scientific philanthropy to help

poor, distressed, and deviant people. A vast number of urban groups had formed to ameliorate

the problems of poverty caused by rapid industrialization. These societies mostly operated

anonymously with no coordinated plan.

Social Well Being

Social Well is defined as the sharing of meaningful relationships with others. There are types

of well-being which include emotional well-being, physical well-being, workplace well-being,

and societal well-being. In general terms, it can be defined as being able to maintain positive.
 7
Definitions

interactions with other people and within local and global communities. Although there is not a

single definition of the term. The most popular definition of Sociology comes from Corey Lee

M. Keyes. He suggested in 1998 that social well-being can be thought of as 5 major elements,

Social Acceptance, Social Actualization, Social Contribution, Social Coherence, and Social

Integration. (Jasper., n.d.)

 8
Definitions

References

. About CSWE. CSWE. https://www.cswe.org/about-cswe/

Alcorn State University (n.d.). Definition of Generalist Practice. Retrieved March 17, 2024, from
https://www.alcorn.edu/academics/schools-and-departments/college-of-arts-and-sciences/definition-of-
generalist-practice/.

ASWB. Association of Social Work Boards. Retrieved March 17, 2024, from https://www.aswb.org/.
(n.d.). Charity Organization Movement. Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved March 17, 2024, from
https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/charity-
organization-movement.

Charity Organization. Library.City.Vision.edu. Retrieved March 17, 2024, from

https://library.cityvision.edu/charity-organization-society.

Charity Organization societies. Encyclopedia of Chicago. Retrieved March 17, 2024, from
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/229.html.

CSWE Accreditation. Social Work Degrees.org. https://www.socialworkdegrees.org/cswe-accreditation

inderbitzen. (n.d.). Pressbookspub . Retrieved from

https://pressbooks.pub/ferrisintroductiontosocialwork/chapter/chapter-4-generalist-practice/.

(2013, November 6). International Federation of Social Workers. ENCYCLOPEDIA OF

SOCIAL WORK. Retrieved March 17, 2024, from
https://oxfordre.com/socialwork/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.001.0001/acrefore-
9780199975839-e-202?p=emailAYNw.YEEjUZSc&d=/10.1093/acrefore/
9780199975839.001.0001/acrefore-9780199975839-e-202.

International Federation of Social Workers. Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Federation_of_Social_Workers

Jasper., D. (n.d.). street civics . Retrieved from https://streetcivics.com/what-is-social-wellbeing-and-how-

to-achieve-it/
 9
Definitions

NASW. Facts About NASW. Retrieved March 17, 2024, from

https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Facts/Facts-About-NASW.
NASW. (n.d.). NASW . Retrieved from
https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English

Pressbooks. Introduction to Social Work. Retrieved March 17, 2024, from

https://pressbooks.pub/ferrisintroductiontosocialwork/chapter/chapter-4-generalist-practice/.
Social
Social Work Licensure Org What is the ASWB Licensing Exam? Retrieved March 17, 2024, from
https://www.socialworklicensure.org/articles/aswb-exam/.

Therapist Development Center. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). ASWB. Retrieved
March 17, 2024, from https://therapistdevelopmentcenter.com/association-social-work-boards-
aswb.
Work Degrees. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.socialworkdegrees.org/cswe-accreditation

Skidmore. What is CSWE? https://www.skidmore.edu/socialwork/overview/cswe.php

What is social well-being? Definition, types, and how to achieve it. BETTER UP.
https://www.betterup.com/blog/what-is-social-well-being-definition-types-and-how-to-achieve-it

Positive Psychology (n.d.). What Is Social Wellbeing? 12+ Activities for Social Wellness.
Retrieved March 17, 2024, from https://positivepsychology.com/social-wellbeing/#social-
wellbeing

What is Social Work and What Do Social Workers Do? University of Buffalo. Retrieved March 17, 2024,
from https://socialwork.buffalo.edu/admissions/is-social-work-right-career-for-me/what-is-social-
work.html.

(What is Social Work. International Federation of Social Workers. Retrieved March 17, 2024,
from https://www.ifsw.org/what-is-social-work/.
 10
Definitions