A transformative model for community social work rooted in basic social and economic rights is
the basis of this timely Brief. With specific chapters spotlighting the rights to health care
nutritious food and adequate and affordable housing the book describes in depth the role of
community practice in securing rights for underserved and vulnerable groups and models key
aspects of rights-based work such as empowerment participation and collaboration. Case
examples relate local struggles to larger regional and statewide campaigns illustrating ways
the book's framework can inform policymakers and improve social structures in the larger
community. This rights-based perspective contrasts sharply with the deficits-based approach
commonly employed in community social work and has the potential to inspire new strategies for
addressing systemic social inequality. Features of Human Rights-Based Community Practice in the
United States: A conceptual basis for a rights-based approach to community practice. Detailed
analysis of legal and social barriers to health care housing and food. Examples of effective
and emerging rights-based community interventions. Methods for assessing the state of human
rights at the community level. Documents discussion questions resource lists and other
valuable tools.
