SW 350 - Child Welfare Services and Practice

This course provides an exploration of the child welfare system, including its services, policies, and interventions designed to protect children and strengthen families. Students will examine theories of abuse and neglect, family risk and protective factors, as well as the roles of public and private systems in addressing child maltreatment. Emphasizing trauma-informed, strengths-based, and family-centered approaches, the course integrates social work values and ethical principles in assessing and responding to child welfare concerns. Topics covered include reporting, foster care, adoption, group homes, independent living for youth aging out of the system. Students will analyze systemic influences, policies, and practices in child welfare systems preparing them to engage in ethical and effective trauma-informed interventions that promote child safety, permanency, and well-being. This course prepares students to work effectively within child welfare systems, advocating for child protection, family empowerment, and systemic change to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families. Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 Contact Hours: 45/0/0/45 Prerequisite: None Corequisite: None