Course DescriptionCourse RequirementsExaminationsTechnology AssignmentReflection PapersLegislative Advocacy Activity and PaperMar.1Court Visit ReflectionsPrivatization (outsourcing) child welfare servicesLaw enforcement and child abuse investigationSpecial needs children in the child welfare systemTHE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK Course Number: SW 360K/395K Instructors' Name: Mary Mulvaney, LMSW-AP Office Number: SWB 3.124A Semester: Spring 2005 Office Phone: 471-9827/854-6415 [email protected] Meeting Time/Place: Tuesdays 8:30 – 11:15 Office Hours: Tuesdays, 11:30-12:30, and by appointment SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES I. Course Description This course will examine from a variety of theoretical frameworks the factors, indicators, and dynamics associated with child maltreatment, including physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. This course is framed within a risk assessment orientation, with a child-focused, family-centered strengths approach. Prevention, practice, policy and research issues will be critically assessed. Child maltreatment will be examined within its relationship to other social welfare problems. The course will explore indicators of populations at risk of being victims of abuse and neglect, as well as those at risk of abusing or neglecting their children. Particular attention will be given to understanding the service delivery system involved in developing the health and well-being of maltreated children and their families, including investigation of allegations, risk assessment, emergency shelter services, family safety services, out of home placement, foster care and kinship care, and adoption. The role of the legal system will be explored as well. Controversial issues in child welfare will be discussed within the framework of the values of the social work profession. This course is a cross-listed practice elective. Social work students are given priority for course registration, while students from other disciplines are admitted with permission of the instructor. This course does build on the liberal arts perspective. No other prerequisites are required. Issues related to social injustice and cultural diversity will be addressed in micro, mezzo, and macro level assignments, course readings, bibliography, and special topics designated in the course schedule (Section VII) of this syllabus. II. Course Objectives - 1 -The course objectives include the ability of the student to: 1. Understand the social context of abuse and neglect of children through an historical overview of child maltreatment. 2. Demonstrate self-awareness of personal beliefs, values, and attitudes about child abuse and neglect through examination of ethical dilemmas and their impact on practice, service, and clients. 3. Demonstrate understanding, affirmation, and respect for persons from different backgrounds, including age, gender, race, ethnicity, culture, class, religious belief or spirituality, family structure, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, national origin, or other issues of diversity related to child abuse and neglect. 4. Apply varied theoretical approaches in assessing factors, indicators, and dynamics associated with child maltreatment. 5. Identify the impact of abuse and neglect on the physical, intellectual, psychosocial, and moral development of the child. 6. Understand and apply risk assessment skills to the service stages of child protection. 7. Critically assess policy, practice, and research issues that focus on culturally relevant prevention and intervention in child maltreatment. 8. Understand social and economic justice issues relating to child maltreatment and its relationship to other social welfare problems including juvenile crime, substance abuse, domestic violence, poverty, as well as developing an awareness of the global interconnections of violence and oppression. 9. Understand the complex array of social services provided to abused children and their families in order to promote healthy families and well-being, as well as an understanding of the process and services provided when out of home placement is in the best interest of the child’s safety, health and well-being. III. Teaching Methods A variety of teaching methods will be used including lecture, discussion, guest speakers, in class exercises, video and audio materials, field trips, and student presentations. Any student with a documented disability (physical or cognitive) who requires academic accommodations should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities area of the Office of the dean of Students at 471-6259 (voice) or 471-4641 (TTY for users who are - 2 -deaf or hard of hearing) as soon as possible to request an official letter outlining authorized accommodations. As part of professional social work education, students may have assignments that involve working in agency settings and/or the community. As such, these assignments may present some risks. Sound choices and caution may lower risks inherent to the profession. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of and adhere to policies and practices related to agency and/or community safety. Students should also notify instructors regarding any safety concerns. IV. Required and Recommended Texts and Materials Crosson-Tower, C. (2005). Understanding child abuse and neglect (6th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. (required) Students will chose one of the following titles to read: Richards, K. (1999). Tender mercies: Inside the world of a child abuse investigator. Child Welfare League of America. Parent, M. (1998). Turning stones: My days and nights with children at risk. The Ballanatine Publishing Group. Crosson-Tower, C. (2003). From the eye of the storm: The experiences of a child welfare worker. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Reserve Readings listed on the class schedule will be available in the LRC. V. Course Requirements Examinations Two examinations based on readings, lectures, speakers, discussions and class activities will be given in the course. Questions will consist of multiple choice, matching, true/false, fill in the blank, short answer, and/or essay. Each exam will be given as scheduled on the course outline and each will be worth 100 points. Exams will vary based on undergraduate (UG) or graduate (G) student status. For UG, the exams