Certificate, Child Welfare

This certificate opportunity is designed for Southeastern University undergraduate and graduate social work students who desire to advance their knowledge and skills in child welfare practice. Students must complete the following requirements to qualify upon graduation:

 

• Students must take the two-child welfare courses offered at Southeastern University and earn a B or higher in both classes. Course offered: Child Welfare Practice- SOWK 3083 and Child Maltreatment and Child Welfare- SOWK 3183

• Students must be placed in a child welfare-related field placement for their 400-hour practicum during their senior year.

• Students must complete the certificate request process to receive the certificate.

 

Required Course Descriptions:

Child Welfare Practice -SOWK 3083 

Provides a framework of values, knowledge, and skills necessary to practice with vulnerable children and their families. The major focus is on social work in public child welfare in the State of Florida. The course utilizes an ecosystem perspective for understanding and assessing the special needs of at-risk children and families. Specific attention is on assessing families and children using the State of Florida’s Child Welfare Practice Model and other family assessment instruments. 

 

Child Maltreatment and Child Welfare- SOWK 3183 

Provides students with knowledge and skills related to the theory, research, and implications of child and adolescent maltreatment for child development and well-being. Course content is presented within the context of child welfare practice and social work with children and adolescents in public agencies and programs.  Issues related to children, families, and communities are covered and attention is given to working with ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQ, and persons with disabilities. Particular attention will be given to federal and state child welfare statutes including Chapter 39, Florida statutes, the Florida Administrative Code, the Child Maltreatment Index, and the range of services provided by the Department of Children and Families and other agencies.

 

Practicum Courses/400-hour practicum in a (child welfare-related placement) - SOWK 4114 and 4124.

 

Students who complete these courses will be provided instruction based on the following criteria in child welfare practice:

 

• Multidimensional assessment (including risk, safety, and family functioning assessments)

• Interviewing techniques (with a special focus on child interviewing)

• Historical issues and federal responses in child welfare

• Current child welfare policy

• Child development and attachment

• Child maltreatment and circumstances surrounding maltreatment

• Intervention planning and referral process (with a special focus on case planning)

Required Field Placement Options:

Students must be placed in a child welfare-related field placement for their 450-hour practicum during their senior year. The following agencies qualify as a child welfare-related field placement setting:

 

• Catholic Charities (Adoptions Unit)

• Child Advocacy Center

• Children’s Home Society

• Department of Children and Families

• Devereux

• Florida Baptist Children’s Home

• Heartland for Children

• Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services

• One Hope United

 

Field placements are primarily located within the Department of Children and Families and Community-based Care Agencies, however, other agencies (as listed above) may qualify if the following guidelines are met:

 

• The agency must have a child welfare focus

• Opportunity to work directly with clients

• Opportunity to work in all phases of the child welfare process

• Opportunity to conduct an evaluation of child welfare practice

• Agency can provide an MSW supervisor possessing child welfare practice skills acquired through a minimum of two years post-master’s experience for graduate placements, and a BSW or MSW supervisor possessing child welfare practice skills acquired through a minimum of two years post-graduation experience for undergraduate placements.

 

Certificate Request Process:

Students must complete the following application process to receive the child welfare certificate:

 

• Students must submit a certificate request form- see appendix

• Students must provide one reference letter from a child welfare-related contact

• Students must provide proof of their completion of hours at their child placement agency (copy of signed weekly field supervision hours may count)

 

Program Learning Outcomes:

1. Students will receive the necessary skills to identify various forms of maltreatment and the surrounding circumstances.

2. Students will acquire interviewing and information gathering techniques to conduct appropriate risk and safety assessments.

3. Students will receive the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively assess, participate in intervention planning and provide appropriate referrals for children and families known to the child welfare system.

4. Students will receive direct practice experience with an agency in the child welfare field.

5. Students will receive a Certificate in Child Welfare