This course is designed to provide students with the basic tools to become frontline human
service workers. The course focuses on teaching the skills and competencies needed to provide
a strength-based or empowerment-based approach to family development. Through this course,
students will learn how to help families to attain healthy self-reliance, to assess their own
needs, and to better understand the skills and attributes needed to be successful in the field. This course is the first part of a two course sequence. Once both courses are completed, students will be eligible to apply for the Family Development Credential through Cornell University.
This course is a continuation of Empowerment Skills for Family Workers - Part I. The purpose is to provide students with the basic tools to become frontline human service workers and to provide knowledge of the organizational structures in human services agencies. In this course, students will learn how to help families develop goals and to meet their needs using community resources. Students completing the course will be eligible to apply for the Family Development Credential through Cornell University.
This course is designed to provide students with supervised work experience in human services agencies. In addition, students participate in a weekly class that combines the principle of small group dynamics with the acquired skills, knowledge and experience that the students have obtained from their field experience.
This course is designed to increase knowledge of alcoholism and alcohol abuse. The disease concept of alcoholism will be explained, as well as the physiological, psychological, and sociological impact of alcohol on the individual. Consequences of alcohol abuse on the family and society will be examined.
This course is intended to provide students with the basic skills necessary to counsel individuals and families with substance abuse problems. Through lecture and assigned readings, students will be educated on the different models of treatment that are currently being followed, as well as speciic techniques for effective intervention at all levels of care. Basic tools for assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and behavior change strategies will be discussed. Additionally, students will focus on actual skills acquisition through direct practice and feedback via role-plays, videotaping and group discussion. The integration of speciic knowledge and skills through practice is the overall goal of this course.
This course is designed for students specializing in the field of chemical dependency treatment, and will focus on the special issues, problems and treatment dilemmas in the field of alcoholism and substance abuse counseling. A significant portion of class time will be devoted to ethical decision making and clarifying healthy professional boundaries. Through lecture, assigned readings, group presentations and class discussions, students will develop an increased awareness and understanding of the multiplicity of problems potentially coexisting with the presenting substance problem. These include, but are not limited to, a history of family violence, neglect, incest, other substance abuse/dependence, psychiatric disorders, and AIDS. Students will also develop an awareness of the special issues faced by particular subgroups, and will learn specific intervention strategies to be utilized in the treatment of these groups, which include, but are not limited to, adolescents, women, the elderly, gays and lesbians, and the non-white population.
A course designed to give students an understanding and working knowledge of the human services profession: its goals and objectives, its structure and organization, its client population. An emphasis will be placed on the generalist approach to human services.
A course designed to help students understand and apply the basic concepts, principles, and issues involved in domestic violence. Special attention will be given to biological, psychological, and sociological perspectives. The course work will focus on causes, identifications, types, reporting, consequences, treatments, laws, legal remedies, interim safety, and prevention of child abuse, spousal abuse, and elder abuse. The complex relationship between external factors, i.e., alcohol and other substances, and violence at home will be examined.
A course that allows students who have successfully completed a previous course in Human Services to continue study in that subject. A student may contract for one to four credit hours. However, directed study may be contracted by a student only with the approval of the directing instructor and the department chair.
Major issues related to the field of human services are discussed. Students are expected to develop the necessary skills which would enhance their ability to gain employment and advance in the human services profession.