Introduction to the Human Services Profession CHAPTER 1 Introduction to the Human Services Profession Introduction to the Human Services Profession Introduction to the Human Services Profession CHAPTER 1

Who are populations that are/have been considered at risk/marginalized? What makes a person or group at risk and in need of advocacy?

What are some examples of basic needs? How do most people meet these basic needs? Why might some marginalized populations be unable to meet their basic needs? What role do social services professionals help those populations meet the basic needs? What is the best way to get involved/help those in need? intersectionality

What is Human Services “The Human Services profession is one which promotes improved service delivery systems by addressing not only the quality of direct services, but by also seeking to improve accessibility, accountability and coordination among professionals and agencies in service delivery” (National Organization for Human Services definition) Very broad term covering many professions but all look to help people meet their basic physical and emotional needs when they cannot do so without outside aid

What is Human Services? The Helping Professions What jobs does this include? Why is Human Services Needed? Basic needs Barriers to Self-Sufficiency https://insightcced.org/tools-metrics/self-sufficiency-standard-tool-for-california/ Levels of Practice Micro/messo/macro

Human Service Commitment to Social Justice Social work is a practical profession aimed at helping people address their problems and matching them with the resources they need to lead healthy and productive lives. Beneath this practicality lies a strong value system that can be summarized in two words: social justice. Social justice is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities. Social workers aim to open the doors of access and opportunity for everyone, particularly those in greatest need. A brief glance at the many roles of social workers shows how this value system underscores everything they do. With homeless clients, for example, social workers make sure their clients have access to food stamps and health care. The same is true for elderly clients: Social workers may work to protect them from financial abuse or to ensure that they are receiving the health and financial benefits that are rightfully theirs. Social workers also apply social-justice principles to structural problems in  the social service agencies in which they work. Armed with the long-term goal of empowering their clients, they use knowledge of existing legal principles and organizational structure to suggest changes to protect their clients, who are often powerless and underserved. For example, social workers may learn organizational ethics to ensure that clients are treated respectfully by staff or they may examine the organization’s policies on personal client information to make sure it is held in confidence. Often, social workers bring social justice concepts into the wider social and political arena. Following the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington an international group of social workers issued statements condemning terrorism but calling for examination of possible underlying causes. In particular, the statements suggested that terrorism may be fueled in part by global practices that led to poverty and rage among millions of Middle Eastern citizens. Indeed, from the beginning of their profession, social workers have been involved in “connecting the dots” between peace and social justice. According to social work philosophy … Peace is not possible where there are gross inequalities of money and power, whether between workers and managers, nations and nations or men and women.  NASW http://www.naswdc.org/pressroom/features/issue/peace.asp

Educational Requirements and Professional Standards for the Helping Professions Council for Standards in Human Services Education Established in 1979 for the purpose of guiding and directing human services education and training programs

CSHSE Standards must cover… Knowledge of the humans services field through the understanding of relevant theory, skills and values of the profession History of the profession Human systems Scope of the human services profession Standard clinical interventions Common planning & evaluation methods Info on self development Field experience and supervision

Duties and Functions of a Human Service Professional http://www Understanding the nature of human systems Understanding the conditions which promote/limit optimal functioning Skill in identifying and selecting interventions may include assistance, referral, advocacy or direct counseling Skill in planning, implementing and evaluating interventions Consistent behavior in selecting interventions which are congruent with values Client, self & organization Process skills which are required to plan and implement services

Theoretical Frameworks and Approaches used in Human Services Values and Guiding Principles Contextual Considerations Frameworks Based on General Systems Theory General Systems Theory Person-in-Environment Ecological Systems Theory Self-Actualization and Strengths-Based Frameworks Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Frameworks Based on General Systems Theory The whole is equal to more than the sum of its parts Systems are highly organized and relationships are consistent Systems are defined by boundaries (solid boundaries leads to dysfunctionality) The behavior of individuals cannot be understood without reference to the systems to which they belong Circular causality Homeostasis (systems seek stability) Systems are goal directed

General Systems Theory Various elements in an environment interact with each other Family, friends, neighborhood, church, culture, ethnicity, gender All have an impact on the thoughts, attitudes and behavior of the individual Reciprocal relationships Who are you? What are your roles? Who impacts you? What are the expectations of you in that role?

Person-in-Environment

Ecological Systems Theory There are varying levels of systems all interacting and impacting the person The person may not always aware of their involvement and impact with systems Goal is to increase the clients awareness of this

Self-Actualization and Strengths-Based Frameworks

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

The Line https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZxjb4gB93A