Social Work and Child Welfare

SWK

682

Social Work and Child Welfare

Introduces knowledge and skills needed for practice in the field of child welfare. The course content includes an overview of relevant historical, legal, theoretical, research material as well as policy issues related to the child welfare system at the state and national levels. Students will learn the importance of advocating for social justice within a bureaucratic system as well as various alternatives to traditional foster care that exist in the United States. Discussions of the influence of racism, poverty and the media on child welfare will be integrated throughout the course. Student learning will focus on prevention, reporting, and investigation of child abuse and neglect, family preservation, out-of-home care, adoption, and services for adolescents. Students will learn to evaluate the impact of policies and to propose change in ineffective policies and service organizations.

Fall, Spring

Graduate

Yes

012503