Reconstructing social welfare institutions and building a professional social work workforce in post-Soviet Georgia: An ecological systems framework

Abstract

This article discusses the development of social welfare institutions in post-Soviet Georgia and the role of social work in this development, based on the ecological system perspective. Transactional processes are described to better understand challenges to social welfare reform and to professional social work. Two major fields, child welfare and criminal justice, are discussed in some detail, as they demonstrate constructive collaboration among various stakeholders. Areas for improvement in these and other fields are also considered, as are the challenges facing social work. A need for more active participation of the social work workforce as agents of change is highlighted.