SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION AND THE PRACTICE ENVIRONMENT IN EUROPE AND EURASIA

Abstract

It has been well-documented that during the Soviet era, social problems were either unrecognized or minimized in the Europe and Eurasia (E&E) region. As social sector reforms have taken root, so has an increased awareness that a well-trained social work workforce is key to the creation of an effective system of social services. Social work as a profession is relatively new to the region thus impacting the path and outcomes of these reforms. USAID Missions with an interest in social services programming in child welfare, disabilities, trafficking in persons (TIP) and domestic violence, and social assistance [social benefits and cash transfers] have identified an active and viable social work profession as critical to the success of such programming