Community Building: Building Community Practice

As downsizing of the federal government's role in social programs moves forward, grassroots and local movements for community-based social change grounded in empowerment approaches escalate. Social workers will be called on to respond to the continued dismantling of the federal safety net and local concerns for economic and social development that sustains and supports families and communities. This article presents ideas to strengthen and expand community practice and community building, connects community practice and social development, describes the relationship between community practice and policy directions, and specifies needed research.