Social Welfare Policy & Services

Provides the history, mission, philosophy, and evolution of social welfare policies and services that form the foundation of social welfare, specifically in relation to poverty, racism, and the needs of oppressed and marginalized populations from both a strengths and Black perspective using social policy frameworks and social work values and ethics. Examines African American and other social welfare pioneer exemplars, their efforts to influence and change social welfare policy and services, and their influence on contemporary programs and services in select Fields of Practice.

Builds on content in SWPS-213 by promoting understanding of and competence in application of policy frameworks for analysis, formulation, advocacy, use of policy research through assessing context, intent, process and the impact of organizational, executive, legislative, and judicial decisions to advanced social and economic justice. Examines use of diverse strategies to create planned change in organizations and larger social systems for direct, community, administration and policy practice.

(Advanced course) Focuses on the cyclical nature of criminal justice policies, elements of the systems, key legal decisions, and the meaning of this system for blacks and other minorities and persons of color and the role of social workers in the field of criminal justice. Emphasis is placed on understanding the theoretical basis of crime and crime causation. One of six Field of practice specialization options. May be taken as elective in second year in regular degree program, or second or third semester in Advanced Standing program.

(Advanced course) Critically examines relevant literature for specific issues in the field of criminal justice related to the theories of crime, causation, judicial and institutional reform, racial equity, ethics, values, leadership, social justice policy, data analysis and offender reintegration. Emphasis is placed upon analysis of populations in the criminal justice system; the impact/role of the African-American and other people of color as client(s) and/or practitioner(s) in the criminal justice system; and, the role of the social work profession in criminal justice as well as some of the current critical issues that impact the American justice system such as mandatory minimum sentences, disproportionate minority contact and restorative justice. Second of two required courses if Field of Practice option. Advanced Field of Practice Specialization Course or Elective.

(Advanced Course) Focuses understanding the biology of aging, psychosocial issues, major sociological theories, death and dying and current social gerontology issues. Emphasis is placed on the impact of economic, cultural, and social forces on the aging process, the role of the social worker in geriatric settings, and implications of race, ethnicity, gender and class in understanding the elderly population. One of six Field of practice specialization options. Advanced Field of Practice Specialization Course or Elective.

(Advanced course) Examines the policies, programs, and services designed to deal with the problems of the elderly. Provides a forum for analyzing and evaluating aging policies and programs and for gaining insight and knowledge about the roles of social work in the aging field; examines current research in the field of aging, and emphasizes the role of social work advocacy and empowerment of the elderly in impacting social policy change. Second of two required courses if Field of Practice option. Advanced Field of Practice Specialization Course or Elective.

Examines a range of historical and contemporary models of community organization practice methods, and values ethics, and skills involved in leadership roles. Emphasizes strategies and tactics for empowering groups and organizations through planned change to promote social and economic justice. [CAPP (Macro) majors must choose this course or Advanced Social Policy Analysis as their required elective. Advanced second-year elective for direct service majors.]

(Advanced course) Provides knowledge and framework for understanding the experiences of displaced populations (immigrants, refugees, and victims of natural and manmade disasters, et al.) and analyzing their problems and their diverse needs. The professional roles, responsibilities, and practice interventions of social work are presented and explored. Major emphasis is placed upon commonalities as well as differences found among these groups at the international and national levels. Advanced Field of Practice Specialization Course or Elective

(Elective) Provides students with an in-depth examination of the status and plight of women in society and within the social work profession. Enhances knowledge and understanding of women's issues in relation to changing roles, sexism, racism, and empowerment from a global perspective. Explores historical and contemporary issues that govern society's view of women and the concomitant adverse effect on the lives of women.

(Advanced course, Practice Methods III) Addresses in greater depth and specificity knowledge of the history, theoretical frameworks, and functions and skills for managing human service organizations and leading culturally diverse community groups, boards, and committee meetings. Examines staff development, the role of social work supervision, collaboration and partnership development, team building, group decision-making and/or problem-solving strategies and use of technology in administration practice. Includes a focus on social planning and budgeting processes for nonprofit organizations.

(Elective) Examines basic concepts of social work supervision strategies and techniques. Examines ethical dilemmas, legal considerations and methods of engaging, training and evaluating a diverse workforce.

(Advanced course, Practice Methods IV) Provides students with knowledge and skills in strategic planning for resource development, program planning, grant proposal writing, financial management, entrepreneurship, and community and institutional capacity building and multi-level fundraising. Emphasis is placed on the conceptualization process involved in planning for resource development, as well as creating an actual funding plan, identifying funding sources, critical analyzing of internal and external factors, designing comprehensive multi-level income streams, budget analyzing and utilizing different types of budgets for different purposes, proposal writing, and analyzing roles and role development of: staff, boards, alliances/coalitions, stakeholders, and others. Special attention is given to the unique experiences and challenges faced by organizations in African- American communities and other communities of color.

Deepens the conceptual base introduced in SWDS-100.  Examines multilevel needs and strengths of diverse peoples, organizations, and communities. Focuses on community, organizational and administrative practice theories, assessment, and approaches.  Uses conceptual and practice models and cases to understand use of relationship, power, and influence in macro practice.  Explores leadership styles and roles as social workers practicing with communities and organizations.

(Advanced course) Examines in depth, human services organizations as systems, external connections with environment, organizational culture, behavior, climate, reward systems, infrastructure, and effectiveness. Assesses and applies organizational development strategies and techniques to bring about planned change.

(Elective) Provides an understanding of the widespread use and misuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD). Explores the dynamics of addictions as they are manifested at the individual, family, group and community levels. Current theories of addiction are explored along with strengths-based methods of assessment, prevention, and intervention in a variety of state, local, and private addictions agencies. Focus on the historical, biopsychosocial, and legal implications of drug abuse, including the controversial link between addiction and criminalization in the African American community. The impact of drug policies on African Americans, other oppressed groups, and high-risk populations are examined within the context of empowerment, social justice and relevant concepts.

(Elective) Focuses on the process of conceptualizing, planning, budgeting, evaluating, and securing public and private resources to develop, fund, staff, and measure the effectiveness of programs to meet identified outcomes. Examines types and methods of developing different models of social work entrepreneurship.

The course integrates environmental justice issues for social work research and practice with a multi-disciplinary focus on the environment. Special emphasis is given to such issues as sources of environmental pollutants; health threats from environmental hazards; and the broader socio-impact. In addition, it provides an overview of public policies, practice and other factors that create environmental disparities including discriminatory land use and residential patterns.

(Elective) Examines definitions, cycle, and theories regarding the causation and myths of intimate partner violence. Domestic violence is examined among diverse populations, including teen dating violence and older populations, diverse racial and ethnic groups, and among immigrant communities. Issues regarding the health, mental health, and criminal justice and child welfare implications of domestic violence are examined. Strategies to address domestic violence at the direct service, community, faith-based, and international levels are explored.

This course examines the history and context of international social development. It explores the significance of globalization and how to engage diverse public and non-governmental organizations. Special attention is given to African and Caribbean countries. The social and economic justice implications of international social development are also discussed, along with human rights and the unique experiences of women globally.

(Advanced course) Continuation of SWPS-300, Social Work with Displaced Populations I. Analyzes social policies, programs, and intervention strategies utilized by service providers and institutions in response to the phenomena of displaced populations. Discusses policy issues related to disadvantaged status and discrimination, availability and acquisition of services, and legal status and treatment of displaced populations. Second of two required courses if Field of Practice option. Advanced Field of Practice Specialization Course or Elective.

(Advanced course) Examines the state and condition of the family as an institution in American society focusing on social forces and practices that impinge upon the family. Further analyzes relationships between policies, programs, and service delivery in promoting or impeding growth and development of individuals within families and the family unit as a whole. Advanced Field of Practice Specialization Course or Elective.

(Advanced course) Continuation of SWPS-418, Family and Child Welfare I with focus on individual, familial, and societal forces that influence the welfare of children within the American society. Explores institutional delivery systems in which child welfare practice occurs. Examines current legal and administrative mandates that impact the development of child welfare policies through the lens of the Black Perspective. Second of two required courses if Field of Practice option. Advanced Field of Practice Specialization Course or Elective.

(Elective) This course is designed to examine and understand the impact of a emotional and physical disabilities on family functioning and on the children's own physical and emotional development. Particular attention is given to understanding the role of the social worker in providing family and individual support with a school social work focus.

Examines diverse models of social policy analysis used in the policy process. Emphasizes the use of diverse policy analysis tools to understand and critique social policy. Topic areas are determined by the professor teaching the course. [CAPP (Macro) majors must choose this course or Advanced Community Organization as their required elective. Advanced second-year elective for direct service majors.]

(Advanced course) Examines evidence-based mental health practice, the historical development of mental health services and the major roles played by social workers. Explores social policies that authorize, support and sanction mental health programs and examines emerging trends that authorize, support, and sanction social work practice, the institutional delivery systems, contributions, limitations, and the existing and potential alternatives for mental health services. Advanced Field of Practice Specialization Course or Elective.

(Advanced course) Continuation of SWPS-424, Social Work in Mental Health Settings I. Examines special populations in mental health systems as well as the quality and effectiveness of engagement, diagnosis and assessment, and effective interventions for specific. Emphasis is placed on the interplay of individual genetics, family circumstances, community environment, and larger societal policies as well as the roles of community organizer and advocate in achieving better outcomes for those with mental health problems. Advanced Field of Practice Specialization Course or Elective.

(Advanced course) Examines the social policy framework and trends that authorize, support, and sanction social work practice, the institutional delivery systems, the contributions, limitations, and the existing and potential alternatives for health care. Advanced Field of Practice Specialization Course or Elective.

(Advanced course) Continuation of SWPS-427, Social Work in Health Care Settings I. Covers issues relevant to the healthcare service delivery systems and micro and macro social work practice. Examines a variety of healthcare settings and the role of social work in healthcare delivery systems as well as current issues pertinent to health care for a diverse consumer population. Second of two required courses if Field of Practice option. Advanced Field of Practice Specialization Course or Elective.