Advocates' Forum 2015 Letter from the Editors

From the 2015 issue of Advocates' Forum

FROM THE EDITORS

This year's Advocates' Forum continues in the tradition of previous editions by engaging topics that explore a range of issues relevant to social work and social justice. The 2015 journal reflects diverse interests and concerns within the field of social work: topics range from integrated clinical interventions to specific policy recommendations for sentencing practices. These articles demonstrate the commitment of the School of Social Service Administration to broadening the role of social workers in clinical, advocacy, and policy arenas. Two of the articles focus on clinical social work practice and propose innovative interventions to address a dually-diagnosed population and adolescent substance use. Two other articles explore the implications of Juvenile Life Without Parole sentencing and a family-focused approach to criminal justice sentencing for social workers within the criminal justice system—both timely topics given the political and criminal justice landscapes in Illinois and the United States. The final article outlines the potential for social workers to advocate for human rights and support public health in an era of epidemics. We would like to express our gratitude to the authors of this year's journal for their outstanding contributions and hard work in preparing their articles for publication. We would also like to thank Associate Professor Virginia Parks, our faculty advisor for Advocates' Forum, for her guidance and unwavering support; Daniel Listoe, Ph.D., our editing consultant, for his meticulous work with the authors; Julie Jung, Director of Communications; and Dean Neil Guterman. Finally, we would like to thank the editorial board and first-year editors for their dedication and hard work to ensure the journal's continued excellence.

Jenny Mancino
Cait Quinlivan
CO-EDITORS-IN-CHIEF