- - - Family Support in Social Work - - -
Minor/Certificate of Completion Program
Career Emphasis Areas

Family Support Minor and Certificate of Completion students must choose an area of career emphasis and must complete the requirements for that area.  Students may choose from the following concentration areas:

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A.  Family Preservation Career Emphasis – Family preservation philosophy and practice offers support to families in the child welfare system.  Family support workers provide in-home services for traditional and non-traditional families.  Populations that may require specialized services will be discussed, including parents with developmental disabilities and children with behavior problems.

Case Aid Child Welfare stipends through the Colorado Department of Human Services have been awarded since 2000 to current public child welfare employees who are enrolled in the Family Support in Social Work Minor/Certificate of Completion Program.  Stipends in the amount of $3,000 are awarded to select recipients who are required to complete SWK399A Agency Experience II in public child welfare agencies.  A required work payback of one year as a paid worker in public child welfare must be completed following completion of the Family Support in Social Work Minor/Certificate of Completion Program.

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B.  Developmental Disabilities Services Career Emphasis - Families with children and/or parents with developmental disabilities are often in need of ongoing family supports. Family support, family-centered service planning and coordination are needed as families negotiate a complex and fragmented service delivery system.  This area of emphasis is designed for students choosing a career in the area of developmental disabilities services.

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C.  Early Intervention Services: Birth through Five Career Emphasis – This area of emphasis recognizes the importance of providing, safe, nurturing and stimulating environments during the early, crucial phases of child development and the key role family support workers and social workers have in assisting families in achieving these goals.  This career emphasis is designed for students choosing a career in the area of infant stimulation, early intervention and early education services.

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D.   Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Career Emphasis – Family support workers and social workers often provide services to families of children and adolescents with an array of emotional and behavioral problems.  Mental health policies, practices and services for children and their families will be presented from a social work perspective.  This career emphasis is designed for students choosing a career in the area of mental health services for children and adolescents.  

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E.  Gay and Lesbian Issues Career Emphasis - There are many challenges facing gay and lesbian individuals, families and groups in today’s society.  The strengths, stresses and life style choices of this population at risk and the role of family support workers and social workers with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities are the major themes of this area.  The gay and lesbian career emphasis is designed for students choosing a career in gay and lesbian health, mental health and community services. 

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F.  Women’s Services Career Emphasis - In today’s society, there is an increasing awareness of the need for specialized training and commitment to assisting women in overcoming barriers, identifying strengths and supporting goal attainment in a patriarchal society.  Social policies and common issues facing women today are explored.  Current family support and social work strategies are evaluated from a feminist social work perspective. This career emphasis is designed for students choosing a career in the area of women’s mental health and welfare services.

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G.  Aging Career Emphasis - Family support workers provide a variety of supports and services to elderly individuals and their families.  Individual needs, strengths, family supports, use of community resources and knowledge of social policies that impact this population are the major themes.  This career emphasis is designed for students choosing a career in aging, health, mental health, home health, and long term care services.

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