Social Work/Human Services
Social Work/Human Services
Social Work/Human Services is a course of study for those interested in employment in such diverse settings as group homes and halfway houses; correctional, developmental disability agencies, and community mental health centers; family, child, and youth service agencies; and programs concerned with substance abuse issues, family violence, homelessness, aging or other social issues. The primary focus of the social work/human services worker is to assist individuals and communities to function as effectively as possible and improve individual, family, and community well-being by taking environmental and social resources into consideration.
The field of social work/human services includes case managers, advocates, grant writers, youth workers, volunteer coordinators, human resource specialists, corrections officers, trainers, para-educators, and advocacy. The Human Services AA and certificate programs are structured around interrelated components including:
- theoretical foundations/intervention strategies;
- client population/cultural diversity;
- research/evaluation; and
- skill development/field experience.
Successful completion of appropriate coursework will enable students to either further their education, seek employment in a variety of social service organizations, or both.
An introductory overview of social welfare and the societal institutions in the U.S. that structure the provision of social services. The course presents a historical perspective on the development of U.S. social work and human services. Special attention is given to current service delivery systems, their policies and procedures, and the tasks of culturally responsive social workers and human service workers within those settings.
This course introduces students to theoretical perspectives of social work practices, ethics and skills, and will include the application of knowledge related to gender, race, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class and ability. Students learn basic theories and skills in interviewing, rapport building, entry level counseling, and case management.
This course explores in depth the beginning dimensions of social work practices from a systems perspective. The role of values, ethics, and ethical decision making are examined as students learn theories and methodologies involved in group dynamics, problem solving, and crisis intervention.
This course offers an academic setting to learn, discuss, and reflect on skills students will utilize during a volunteer field internship. A weekly class meeting provides the academic element to this experiential course offering and reinforces the application of concepts gained in the corequisite course. This course is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to develop skills that would facilitate gaining employment in the social work/human services field.
This course facilitates a supervised field experience in the area of Social Work/Human Services (community organization, agency, or institution) allowing the student to apply knowledge and learn new skills outside the classroom environment. The course provides students with an opportunity to develop skills in preparation for gaining employment in the human services field. Students will be given the option of several pre-arranged agency volunteer internship placements at social service agencies in the local community that accept community college student interns. Agency placement will be determined by a match between student interests and agency needs.