The common core of knowledge, values, and skills essential to social work practice is analyzed to gain insight into social work functions and the role of the social worker as a change agent. Continues a generic problem-solving model, focusing on group and macrointervention systems, settings, and skills. Emphasis on working with groups from treatment to task purposes. Group processes as goal formulation, contract setting, composition, termination, skills and techniques necessary for effective worker intervention are partial knowledge base of the course. Field service of 40-60 hours required.
Course provides an overview of ethical and legal issues related to the human services professions.
Some of the topics include responsibility, competence, duty to warn, confidentiality, professional relationships, and research. Clinical strategies relevant to legal and ethical issues are emphasized. Primary issues related to alcoholism and drug abuse including key concepts, theories, policies, and research regarding the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Emphasis on the impact of the policies and programs on the well-being of ethnic minority and disadvantaged service populations. Major needs of adolescents with their implications for social work practice.