SOWK 303: Social Welfare Services for Children and Youth

Course Syllabus

I. Purpose / Rationale of the  Course

The course emphasizes a multicultural focus on children, youth, and their families in the United States. The course is intended for undergraduate students particularly in the human services and social work area.

We will begin with a look at child welfare from a generalist perspective and move on to the history of child welfare in the United States. Then we will focus on child welfare issues in African-American, American Indian, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Hispanic Families.

We will address the issue of child abuse and neglect, and the practice of child welfare in the rural setting. The future trends of child welfare will be examined too.

II.                Course Content

            The course focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to supervise social work practice with individuals, families, and groups in diverse practice settings.  Emphasis is placed on understanding the implications for assessment and intervention of several commonly employed theoretical approaches and models of social work practice with individuals, families, and groups, particularly those from vulnerable populations. 

Supervisory concerns, including evaluation of practice and of case documentation, clinical credentials, use of computerized expert systems in clinical practice, identification of impaired social workers, and risk management are addressed. Attention is given to administrative issues such as agency accreditation, third-party payment, the influence of the medical model, and the impact of managed care. NASW standards of practice for various service settings are examined.

III.             Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, a student should possess:

1. An understanding of the history of the child welfare in the United States.
2. An understanding of the continuum of child welfare services.
3. An understanding of how the role of inequality has played in generating the need for services.
4. The ability to use critical thinking skills regarding the use of case studies.
5. Developmental of sensitivity toward the needs and wants of the child, parents,
   agency, social work profession, and society.
   

IV.              Methods Of Instruction

Teaching Methods:

The course will be taught using lectures, films, case studies, and small group discussions.

Requirements/Grading:

Midterm Examination (50 points): There will be one examination that will be given during the midterm of the semester. The exam will cover reading and class material assigned up to date of the exam. Questions on the exam will include multiple choice and true-false formats.

Quizzes (5 points for each quiz for a total of 25 points): There will be five unannounced quizzes during the course of the semester. The quizzes will cover assigned readings as well as material discussed in class. The purpose of the quizzes is to help you integrate and think about the content of the course and provide you with an incentive to stay caught up with the readings.

Agency visit (25 points): Each student will visit a child welfare agency and interview a social worker about the role he/she plays in the life of the clients being served. (A form will be given to each student at a later date).

V. Text Book Previously Used:

Neil A. Cohen and Contributors (2000). Child Welfare A Multicultural Focus. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.