Contemporary Case Studies

The Just Practice Framework In Action

The Just Practice Framework in Action: Contemporary Case Studies invites readers into the real-world experiences of social workers who are boldly centering justice in their practice.

Building on the foundation of Janet L. Finn’s Just Practice framework, this companion volume offers a diverse collection of stories, insights, and reflections from practitioners working in a wide range of contexts—from housing and refugee resettlement to education, healthcare, and environmental justice.

Rather than presenting abstract theory, this book grounds social justice in lived experience. Through 25 vivid case studies, readers will see how the principles of dignity, dialogue, meaning, context, history, and power can guide and transform social work across personal, organizational, and systemic levels.

Whether you're a student, educator, or seasoned practitioner, this book offers inspiration and practical wisdom for re-imagining what justice can look like in everyday practice.

With contributions from clinicians, educators, community organizers, and advocates, The Just Practice Framework in Action is both a teaching tool and a call to action—an invitation to think critically, act compassionately, and keep justice at the heart of our work.

Reviews for The Just Practice Framework In Action

  • “I have taught introductory courses on social work practice for thirty years and continue to think of Just Practice as the finest text I have ever used. It is full, deep, and rich. The author introduces an integrative framework that joins conceptions of social justice and the core activities of everyday practice, challenging instructors and students to negotiate the irreducible ambiguities and complexities of help and care. I so appreciate the clarity of mind, the moral energy, and the pragmatic sensibility that shapes her accounts of the history of the profession and the range of concerns we have come to encompass in the field."

    - William Borden, University of Chicago

  • "The emphasis on the Just Practice concepts provides exceptional opportunities for students to reflect on their life experiences and often find 'possibility' when it seems improbable."

    -Paula M. Sheridan, Whittier College

  • I can honestly say for the first time in years that I am actually excited about a textbook not just because it speaks to me and us about the way we define social justice work but also because I learned more than a few things in reading this that have already strengthened my perspective."

    -Donna McIntosh, Sienna College