This review supports the practice of treating kinship care as a viable out-of-home placement option for children removed from the home for maltreatment. However, this conclusion is tempered by the pronounced methodological and design weaknesses of the included studies.

Service dogs for people with mobility impairments and hearing ear dogs for persons with hearing impairments have grown in popularity because the important practical tasks these dogs perform enhance the independence of their owners. Little is known about the psychosocial impact of service dog ownership, however. The results of a survey of 24 owners and seven trainers on the psychosocial benefits and liabilities of service dog ownership are presented and the implications for social work practice are discussed.

During the past two decades, empowerment theory has gained popularity as a way to develop social policy reforms, programs, and practices related to oppressed and disenfranchised populations. This article applies the principles of empowerment practice to address the needs of battered women, and it discusses the implications for social work practice.

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