Family assessment instruments can enhance the clinical judgment of child welfare practitioners by structuring decision-making processes and demonstrating the linkages between assessment, service provision, and child and family outcomes. This article describes the concept of family assessment in the child welfare context and provides an overview of the theoretical and disciplinary influences in the family assessment field. Based on a structured review of 85 instruments, the article discusses 21 that appear to the be the most valid and reliable for evaluating four federally-defined domains of family assessment: (1) patterns of social interaction, (2) parenting practices, (3) background and history of the parents or caregivers, and (4) problems in access to basic necessities such as income, employment, and adequate housing. Key measurement criteria as well as practical considerations in the selection and implementation of family assessment instrumentation in child welfare are discussed.

Although evidence-based depression interventions exist, relatively few older adults seek care from mental health specialists. Moreover, studies that examine the models used to deliver mental health services have been limited. In light of an aging and diversifying population, this article reviews current depression interventions for older adults in non-mental health clinics. A total of 21 articles were included in this review focusing on depression interventions conducted in primary care, home-based, and community-based settings. Notably, care manager-based interventions and problem solving interventions reduced depression across settings. Very few studies focused on racial/ethnic minority populations. Models of geriatric service delivery are highlighted and implications for ethnic minority older adults are discussed in light of health care reform.

Poverty has been a widely explored issue that has been debated across many social science academic disciplines. Due to its multidimensional nature, different interpretations of the causes of poverty have been put forth. This analysis examines the theories of poverty from five social science disciplines: psychology, anthropology, sociology, economics, and political science. While some of these ideas have evolved since they were originally conceived, these theories have significantly contributed to the conceptualization of poverty in social welfare. Since social welfare does not have a common theory of poverty, future directions should involve an attempt to develop a unifying theory of poverty for clarification on shared discussions because of its impact all areas in the field of social welfare and social work practice.

The measurement of child well-being has become increasingly important in child welfare practice in the past ten years with the federal emphasis on measuring positive outcomes for children and families. Practical and methodological barriers to evaluating well-being exist alongside positive developments in the field. This article reviews the research literature related to child and youth well-being, providing a context for the discussion of measurement issues in child welfare settings. Based on a structured review of the literature, the article discusses instruments that appear to be most appropriate for use in a child welfare setting. Instruments are presented within stages of development, including (1) Infancy and Early Childhood, (2) Middle Childhood, and (3) Adolescence. Implications for the design and use of child well-being instruments in child welfare practice are discussed.

Ethnic nonprofit community-based organizations (CBOs) have played a crucial role in the social fabric of ethnic communities. Despite the importance of ethnic CBOs, limited empirical knowledge exists about these types of organizations. This study seeks to fill this gap by exploring how ethnic CBOs engage their target populations in stigma-associated services using a multidimensional cultural competence framework. A case study approach is used to explore how a Korean ethnic organization engages older adults in mental health services. The study provides an in-depth examination of the organization’s responses to the increasing need for mental health services for older Korean adults by providing culturally grounded services in a nonstigmatized environment. The study contributes to current literature by (a) using a multidimensional approach to examine community, organizational, and individual factors that influence mental health service use and (b) exploring how ethnic organizations consider these domains to serve older Korean adults.