The Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) focus area provides a comprehensive examination of the child welfare system. CYF focuses on the role of social policy practitioners in promoting health, justice, and well-being for children and families. Overall, you’ll gain an advanced understanding of the systems serving children, youth, and families while learning to support within the framework of state and federal legislation.
The Knowledge You Need
You’ll learn assessment and interventions across stages of family change, supporting differing family structures and emphasizing strengths-based and family-centered approaches. You will develop skills in crisis and grief management and learn to implement prevention and intervention strategies at the community level. CYF explores empowerment-oriented and client-driven service models, emphasizing the community as a resource, advocating for strategies to prevent out-of-home placements. You’ll learn to identify and analyze best practices to support families on issues like parenting, intimate partner violence, and abuse.
You’ll be prepared to:
- Assess and address trauma risk and impact.
- Build resilience in youth and their families.
- Design effective interventions based on best practices.
- Evaluate the impacts of systemic barriers.
Focus Area Courses
- SWK 618 Social Policy and Services (CYF) (3 cr.)
- SWK 637 Assessment and intervention with Children and Youth
- SWK 633 Children, Youth and Families Practice II: Working with Diverse and Transitioning Families (3 cr.)
- SWK 634 Group and Community Based Practice with Children and Families (3 cr.)
- Required 3 credit hours from a social work elective (courses available)