Grand Challenges for Social Work

Minnick, D., J., Rao, S., Smith, K., Krings, A., & Teixeira, S. (2024). Meeting the Grand Challenge to Create Social Responses to a Changing Environment (Policy Brief). Grand Challenges for Social Work. https://grandchallengesforsocialwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/240730-SRTCE_PB_FINAL.pdf

Sherraden, M. S., Huang, J., & Johnson, L. (2024, July). Meeting the grand challenge to build financial capability and assets for all; Social workers: A ready workforce for building financial capability in underserved households (Policy Brief). Grand Challenges for Social Work. https://grandchallengesforsocialwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/240730-SW-FCAB-workforce_FINAL.pdf

Birkenmaier, J., & Huang, J. (2024, July). Meeting the grand challenge to build financial capability and assets for all; Strengthen the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Policy Brief). Grand Challenges for Social Work. https://grandchallengesforsocialwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/240730-CFPB_FCAB_PB_FINAL.pdf

Huang, J., Shanks, T. R., Teasley, M., Spencer, M., & Sherraden, M. (2024, July). Eliminate racism, reduce extreme economic inequality, and build financial capabilities and assets for all; Universal Child Development Accounts to develop all children and reduce racial wealth inequality (Policy Brief). Grand Challenges for Social Work. https://grandchallengesforsocialwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/240730-CDAs_FINAL.pdf

Policies to strengthen vulnerable families typically focus either on boosting income for present needs or assets for future priorities. A recent event spotlighted policies to integrate the two approaches for vulnerable families – as we already do for other families.

Elliott, W., III. (2022, May). Economic security from an asset perspective (CSD Perspective No. 22-19). Washington University, Center for Social Development, and University of Michigan, Center on Assets Education, and Inclusion.

Henly, J., Lein, L., Romich, J., Shanks, T. R., & Sherraden, M. S. (with Jones, R., & Tillotson, A.). (2022). Reducing extreme economic inequality. In R. P. Barth, J. T. Messing, T. R. Shanks, & J. H. Williams (Eds.), Grand challenges for social work and society (2nd ed., pp. 279–309). Oxford University Press.

Huang, J., Sherraden, M. S., Johnson, E., Birkenmaier, J., Rothwell, D., Despard, M. R., Jones, J. L., Callahan, C., Doran, J., Frey, J. J., McClendon, G. G., Friedline, T., & McKinney, R. (2022). Building financial capability and assets for all. In R. P. Barth, J. T. Messing, T. R. Shanks, & J. H. Williams (Eds.), Grand challenges for social work and society (2nd ed., pp. 310–340). Oxford University Press.

Barth, R. P., Silk, K., Flynn, M. L., Uehara, E. Messing, J. T., Shanks, T. R., Sherraden, M., & Williams, J. H., (2022). Conclusions and looking forward. In R. P. Barth, J. T. Messing, T. R. Shanks, & J. H. Williams (Eds.), Grand challenges for social work and society (2nd ed., pp. 389–405). Oxford University Press.

Johnson, L., Butts, S. C., Manderscheid, R., Sherraden, M., & Lewis, C. E. (2022). Commentary. In R. P. Barth, J. T. Messing, T. R. Shanks, & J. H. Williams. J. H. (Eds.), Grand challenges for social work and society (2nd ed., pp. 406–414). Oxford University Press.

Flynn, M. L., Barth, R. P., Uehara, E., & Sherraden, M. (2022, February 24). Grand Challenges for Social Work. In C. Franklin (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Social Work (Online ed.). https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.1458

McLaughlin, M., & Rank, M. R. (2018). Estimating the economic cost of childhood poverty in the United States. Social Work Research, 42(2), 73–83. doi:10.1093/swr/svy007

McBride, A. M., Greenfield, J. C., Morrow-Howell, N., Lee, Y. S., & McCrary, S. (2019). Engaging older adult volunteers in national service. In T. B. Bent-Goodley, J. H. Williams, M. L. Teasley, S. H. Gorin (Eds.), Grand challenges for society: Evidence-based social work practice (pp. 222–234). Washington, DC: NASW Press.

Pettus-Davis, C. (2019). Reverse social work’s neglect of adults involved in the criminal justice system: The intersection and agenda. In T. B. Bent-Goodley, J. H. Williams, M. L. Teasley, S. H. Gorin (Eds.), Grand challenges for society: Evidence-based social work practice (pp. 352–358). Washington, DC: NASW Press.

Huang, J., Sherraden, M. S., & Zou, L. (2018, October). 【视野】普惠金融与金融能力：美国社会工作的大挑战 [From financial inclusion to financial capability: A grand challenge of social work in the United States]. China Social Work Magazine. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/z15GHMa00dxgokSiX2TU9A

Copeland, P., Jacob, D., Young, D., Grier, A., Kennedy, S., & Tripodi, S. (2018, October). Smart decarceration practice behaviors for social work competencies: A guide for educators and learners [Report]. Tallahassee, FL: Florida State University College of Social Work, Institute for Justice Research and Development.

Pettus‐Davis, C., Epperson, M., Grier, A., Kraatz, M., Sawh, L., & Kennedy, S. (2018, October). Deferred prosecution programs: An implementation guide [Report]. Tallahassee, FL: Florida State University College of Social Work, Institute for Justice Research and Development, Washington University Center for Social Development, and University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration.

Birkenmaier, J., Despard, M. R., & Friedline, T. (2018, May). Policy recommendations for financial capability and asset building by increasing access to safe, affordable credit (Grand Challenges for Social Work initiative Policy Brief No. 11-2). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare.

Despard, M. R., Friedline, T., & Birkenmaier, J. (2018, May). Policy recommendations for helping U.S. households build emergency savings (Grand Challenges for Social Work initiative Policy Brief No. 11-3). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare.

Friedline, T., Despard, M. R., & Birkenmaier, J. (2018, May). Policy recommendations for expanding access to banking and financial services (Grand Challenges for Social Work initiative Policy Brief No. 11-4). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare.

McLaughlin, M., & Rank, M. R. (2018). Estimating the economic cost of childhood poverty in the United States. Social Work Research, 42(2), 73–83. doi:10.1093/swr/svy007

Lough, B. J., Sherraden, M. S., Moore A. M., Sherraden, M., & Pritzker, S. (2017). Productive engagement early in life: Civic and volunteer service as a pathway to development (Grand Challenges for Social Work initiative Working Paper No. 23). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.

Gonzales, E., Morrow-Howell, N. M., & Ho, H. (2017, March). Expand paid family and medical leave (Policy Action No. 4.1). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare, Grand Challenge for Social Work initiative.

Pettus-Davis, C., Epperson, M. W., & Grier, A. (2017, March). Reverse civic and legal exclusions for persons with criminal charges and convictions (Policy Action No. 9.1). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare, Grand Challenges for Social Work initiative.

Huang, J., Sherraden, M. S., Clancy, M. M., Sherraden, M., & Shanks, T. R. (2017, March). Start lifelong asset building with universal and progressive Child Development Accounts (Policy Action No. 11.1). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare, Grand Challenges for Social Work initiative.

Pettus-Davis, C., Epperson, M., & Grier, A. (2017, February). Guideposts for the era of smart decarceration [Report]. Tallahassee, FL: Florida State University College of Social Work, Institute for Justice Research and Development, Washington University Center for Social Development, and University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration.

Greenberg, M. H. (2016, October). Policy innovation for children and families (CSD Perspective No. 16-46). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.

Wheeler, D. P. (2016, October). Gathering of Grand Challenges network groups: Dinner remarks, September 14, 2016 (CSD Perspective No. 16-47). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/K7513XQV

Hawkins, J. D., Jenson, J. M., DeVylder, J., Catalano, R. F., Botvin, G. J., Fraser, M., … Bumbarger, B. (2016, September). Policy recommendations for meeting the Grand Challenge to Ensure Healthy Development for All Youth (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Policy Brief No. 1). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. https://doi.org/10.7936/K7NS0TDC

Spencer, M. S., Walters, K. L., & Clapp, J. D. (2016, September). Policy recommendations for meeting the Grand Challenge to Close the Health Gap (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Policy Brief No. 2). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. https://doi.org/10.7936/K7P84BFP

Kulkarni, S. J., Barth, R. P., & Messing, J. T. (2016, September). Policy recommendations for meeting the Grand Challenge to Stop Family Violence (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Policy Brief No. 3). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. https://doi.org/10.7936/K7MW2GNV

Morrow-Howell, N., Gonzales, E., & Matz-Costa, C. (2016, September). Policy recommendations for meeting the Grand Challenge to Advance Long and Productive Lives (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Policy Brief No. 4). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. https://doi.org/10.7936/K7Q23ZR1

Brown, S., Casey, E. A., Crewe, S. E., Gironda, M., Johnson, C., Lubben, J., … Tracy, E. (2016, September). Policy recommendations for meeting the Grand Challenge to Eradicate Social Isolation (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Policy Brief No. 5). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. https://doi.org/10.7936/K7C828T7

Padgett, D. K., Henwood, B. F., & Culhane, D. P. (2016, September). Policy recommendations for meeting the Grand Challenge to End Homelessness (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Policy Brief No. 6). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. https://doi.org/10.7936/K7J67GFJ

Kemp, S. P., Mason, L. R., Palinkas, L. A., Rechkemmer, A., & Teixeira, S. (2016, September). Policy recommendations for meeting the Grand Challenge to Create Social Responses to a Changing Environment (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Policy Brief No. 7). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. https://doi.org/10.7936/K7GQ6X8V

Berzin, S. C., Coulton, C. J., Goerge, R., Hitchcock, L., Putnam-Hornstein, E., Sage, M., & Singer, J. (2016, September). Policy recommendations for meeting the Grand Challenge to Harness Technology for Social Good (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Policy Brief No. 8). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. https://doi.org/10.7936/K7930SPJ

Epperson, M., & Pettus-Davis, C. (2016, September). Policy recommendations for meeting the Grand Challenge to Promote Smart Decarceration (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Policy Brief No. 9). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. https://doi.org/10.7936/K7DJ5F50

Elliott, W., III, Henly, J. R., Lambert, S. J., Lein, L., Romich, J. L., Shanks, T. R., & Sherraden, M. (2016, September). Policy recommendations for meeting the Grand Challenge to Reduce Extreme Economic Inequality (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Policy Brief No. 10). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. https://doi.org/10.7936/K7NZ874H

Huang, J., Sherraden, M. S., Clancy, M. M., Sherraden, M., Birkenmaier, J., Despard, M. R., … Rothwell, D. (2016, September). Policy recommendations for meeting the Grand Challenge to Build Financial Capability and Assets for All (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Policy Brief No. 11). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. https://doi.org/10.7936/K7057FG8

McRoy, R. G., Padilla, Y. C., Calvo, R., Goldbach, J. T., & Teasley, M. L. (with Amaro, H., … Waters, M. C.). (2016, September). Policy recommendations for meeting the Grand Challenge to Achieve Equal Opportunity and Justice (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Policy Brief No. 12). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. https://doi.org/10.7936/K7QZ29HM

The Center for Social Development provided editorial support to facilitate the development of policy briefs for the September 2016 conference, Social Innovation for America’s Renewal: Ideas, Evidence, Action THEME I: INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY WELL-BEING ∙ Ensure Healthy Development for All Youth​ – By unleashing the power of prevention through widespread use of proven approaches, we can prevent behavioral […]

Peters, C. M., Sherraden, M. S., & Kuchinski, A. M. (2016). Growing financial assets for foster youths: Expanded child welfare responsibilities, policy conflict, and caseworker role tension. Social Work, 61(4), 340–348. doi:10.1093/sw/sww042

Lein, L., Romich, J. L., & Sherraden, M. (2016). Reversing extreme inequality (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Working Paper No. 16). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.

Sherraden, M. S., Huang, J., Frey, J. J., Birkenmaier, J., Callahan, C., Clancy, M. M., & Sherraden, M. (2015). Financial capability and asset building for all (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Working Paper No. 13). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.

Pettus-Davis, C., & Epperson, M. W. (2015). From mass incarceration to smart decarceration (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Working Paper No. 4). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.

Morrow-Howell, N., Gonzales, E., Matz-Costa, C., & Greenfield, E. A. (2015). Increasing productive engagement in later life (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Working Paper No. 8). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.

Kemp, S. P., & Palinkas, L. A. (with Wong, M., Wagner, K., Reyes Mason, L., Chi, I., … Rechkemmer, A.). (2015). Strengthening the social response to the human impacts of environmental change (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Working Paper No. 5). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.