Welcome to HN 499 Dr. Dawn Burgess: Instructor March Term

Introductions Can each one of you let us know a little bit about you and what your goals are after you graduate? Let us take a few minutes and read each peer response. Thank you!

The Capstone Class The journey of a Capstone class What is a Capstone Class? capstone course is a class marked with an asterisk on degree plans. It is designed to be taken during a student’s final semester. It would be the class that has the most prerequisites and is usually the focus of the degree....

Questions?

Human Services - The Basics The field of Human Services encompasses a broad range of careers that attempt to improve the overall well-being of the members of a community. Most people employed in the field, regardless of job title, share a common goal of working to prevent and solve the many social problems that confront people in today's society. These professionals also attempt to improve the quality and accessibility of the social services offered in a particular geographical area. Because the Human Services field is broad, a wide variety of careers fit within its parameters.

Human Service Workers "Human services worker" is a generic term for people who hold professional and paraprofessional jobs in such diverse settings as group homes and halfway houses; correctional, community mental health centers; family, child, and youth service agencies, and programs concerned with alcoholism, drug abuse, family violence, and aging. Depending on the employment setting and the kinds of clients served there, job titles and duties vary a great deal. The primary purpose of the human service worker is to assist individual and communities to function as effectively as possible in the major domains of living. A strong desire to help others is an important consideration for a job as a human services worker. Individuals who show patience, understanding, and caring in their dealings with others are highly valued by employers. Other important personal traits include communication skills, a strong sense of responsibility, and the ability to manage time effectively.

Human Service Worker Social Service Aide Group Activities Aide Social Service Technician Therapeutic Assistant Probation Officer Case Monitor Parole Officer Child Advocate Gerontology Aide Juvenile Court Liaison Home Health Aide Group Home Worker Child Abuse Worker

Case Monitor Parole Officer Child Advocate Gerontology Aide Juvenile Court Liaison Home Health Aide Group Home Worker Child Abuse Worker Crisis Intervention Counselor Mental Health Aide Community Organizer Intake Interviewer Community Outreach Worker Social Work Assistant Community Action Worker Psychological Aide Halfway House Counselor Assistant Case Manager Rehabilitation Case Worker Residential Manager

What do you have to do in this unit? Introduce yourself Complete the reading Participate in discussion Attend seminar Read about the final project

1. Using notes from past classes and experiences from those discussions, create a scenario (between 100–200 words) that demonstrates one of the theories that you studied. Focus your scenario using a hypothetical client who is representative of the population of your intended career. In your description, describe the type of agency that is providing the service. 2. To prepare your responses, review the reasons that motivated your initial interest in human services careers. Think about why you chose the particular concentration that you did (child and family services, gerontology, or management). As you reflect, note how your motivations have helped you to complete (almost) your degree program. This type of reflection will help you to understand the needs, obstacles, and motivations of your future clients or the staff you will supervise. Jot down some notes about how you faced and managed obstacles, handled failures, and celebrated successes.

Communication Theory in Human Services Demonstrate an understanding of various interpersonal communication theories. Explore the historical development of helping theories in the human services field. Identify perceptions and misunderstandings about the human services field. Verbal and Nonverbal Communication Develop an understanding of the role of verbal communication in the helping relationship. Develop an understanding of the role of nonverbal communication in the helping relationship. Listening and Understanding Skills Apply active listening skills. Apply accurate listening skills. Effective Feedback Skills Identify forms of feedback. Develop skill in giving and receiving feedback. Practice dealing with difficult feedback. Interviewing Skills Exhibit the ability to establish rapport with participants. Explore developing trusting professional relationships with participants and staff. Apply effective listening and attending skills to a variety of interviewing environments. Exhibit the ability to use effective problem-solving strategies. Practice developing focus and presence in the helping relationship.