SW 6061 - Advanced Practice I in Public Services

Social Work practice within public agencies requires individuals to be able to respond to a variety of populations and issues utilizing an ecological, strengths-based perspective. This course will focus on assessment and intervention strategies that are effective with individuals, couples, and families, both voluntary and mandatory, who have been referred for services within a public framework. Models for assessment, intervention and evaluation will include a broad base of family and individual strengths based brief methods including structural, behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, solution focused, narrative, psychoeducational, family preservation, rapid assessment and functional family therapy. Knowledge, skills, and values that are explored will be within populations experiencing child abuse, domestic violence, poverty, underemployment, and physical challenges. Students will be exposed to a comprehensive family systems model of service delivery. The course will provide students with a theoretical framework necessary for understanding the role of interactive processes in the development and maintenance of maladaptive behavior. Contrasting traditional methods of diagnosis and treatment students will learn adaptive utilization of multiple assessment models including the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) IV-TR; the ICD-9 and relational paradigms for assessment and treatment. Alternative methods for understanding and intervening in complex human behavior patterns will also focus on ethnic and cultural minorities, gay and lesbian clients, and mental health and antisocial behavioral issues. Relational diagnostic models, functional analysis of presenting problems and intervention strategies designed to utilize individual, family and community strengths as a vehicle for change will be emphasized.