Known for its engaging writing style and use of many current examples of human service practitioners at work, An Introduction to Human Services is one of the leading texts in the introductory human services market. The text provides complete and up-to-date coverage of social welfare programs and policies, and describes how history, politics, and the economy shape the programs. It compares the U.S. social welfare systems to systems in other countries. A strong multicultural and social systems approach also distinguishes it from other texts. An Introduction to Human Services offers an historical context of the field of human services, insights into the overall social welfare field, and concrete descriptions of how primary intervention strategies are put into daily practice in human service agencies. It also provides a well-rounded look at the many options offered in the field of human services and discusses the stresses that a human service worker will face in day-to-day work, with practical suggestions for avoiding burnout.