SWK 697

Child Welfare I

SWK 501, SWK 502, SWK 503, SWK 504, SWK 505, SWK 506, SWK 507, SWK 508, SWK 509, and SWK 510; or permission of the program; or advanced standing admission. This is the first of a two course series that provides the knowledge, concepts, and fundamental skills needed for beginning level practice in public and private child welfare. This course focuses on interventions to protect children from abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse by strengthening, supporting, and empowering their families. Content is provided on the mission and scope of child welfare practice, articulating underlying values and philosophy while addressing cultural and relationship issues when working with families. The course provides conceptual and practical information on identifying child maltreatment, assessing family needs and strengths, and determining immediate and long-term risk to children of future maltreatment. The course proceeds by engaging students in a case planning process and applying a casework model to working with families. Finally, the course content highlights interviewing skills in a child welfare setting that are applicable to the family assessment and case planning activities.

Units: 3.0