2. Chapter 1
An Introduction to Human Services

3. Learning Outcomes
Explain the historical beginnings and growth of the human services field.
Identify the broad employment categories in the field of human services.
Give examples of career opportunities for human services workers within each of the broad employment categories.
Recognize common aptitudes, attitudes, and skills of human services workers.
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4. Learning Outcomes
Summarize key education, training, and experience expectations for human services careers.
Identify common challenges and rewards in human services careers.
Describe the job outlook for careers in human services.

5. Warm-Up
When you think of careers in human services, which jobs come to mind?
Which human services career interests you the most? Why?
What interests or skills do you have that make this job a good fit for you?
What skills or education do you need to succeed in this job?
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6. What Is Human Services?
A career field that provides for people’s needs
Human services workers
assist people at all stages of life
help coordinate services
support and offer advice to those who are struggling
solve and prevent problems people face
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7. Types of Services Housing assistance for people with low income
Financial education and assistance to single parents
Counseling for people struggling with problems
After-school activities for young teens
Day care for older adults
Nutrition advice for young parents
Temporary housing for people in transition

8. Creation of Human Services
Relatively new career field that has been around for approximately the past 100 years
Represents a cultural shift in ideology about who is responsible to meet needs and how to meet them
Expanded and evolved to meet the changing needs of society and offer new services when they are needed

9. Did You Know?
Before an ideology change regarding human services, people living in poverty or with special needs were often thought of as deserving of their circumstances
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10. Shift in Ideology
Urban density and the Industrial Revolution led to a shift in ideology
Charitable Organization Society (COS)
US Settlement House Movement
World War I and the Great Depression resulted in Americans needing financial support
New Deal
Social Security Act of 1935

11. Expansion of Human Services
World War II led to economic recovery
During the latter part of the twentieth century, the Department of Health and Human Services expanded services
Head Start
Family and Medical Leave Act
Today, new programs continue to be developed

12. Common Careers in Human Services
Human Services Career Opportunities
Agency administrator
Caseworker
Child advocate
Child care worker
Child life specialist
Consumer advocate
Counselor
Credit counselor
Curriculum specialist
Customer service representative
Day care center director
Education advisor
Extension specialist
Financial advisor
Health educator
Life coach
Mental health counselor
Nanny
Patient advocate
Public relations specialist
Recreation therapist
Rehabilitation counselor
Sales representative
School counselor
Social services assistant
Social worker
Teacher
Volunteer coordinator

13. Human Services Career Settings
Family and children’s services agencies
Federal and state governments
Public or private schools
Private businesses
Places of worship
Nursing homes
Hospitals
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14. Employment Categories in Human Services
Consumer services
Counseling and mental health services
Early childhood development and services
Family and community services
Personal care services
Entrepreneurial careers
Food, clothing, and housing related services

15. Consumer Services
Involve helping people budget, solve financial problems, and make good consumer decisions
Educate clients on how to invest, save, and spend wisely and plan financial goals
Evaluate consumer media and solve consumer issues
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16. Counseling and Mental Health Services
Involve helping people maintain healthy, productive lives
Achieved through therapy, counseling, and education or training
Rob Marmion/Shutterstock.com

17. Early Childhood Development and Services
Involve understanding and meeting the needs of infants, toddlers, and young children
Know how children grow and develop
Apply knowledge through use of age-appropriate activities and teaching methods
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18. Family and Community Services
Involve offering advice and assistance to people at all stages of life
Work with people directly in the field
Help people cope with and resolve personal issues and maintain healthy relationships
Assist people following natural disasters
Iakov FilimonovShutterstock.com

19. Personal Care Services
Provide personal services, such as hair care, nail care, and skin care
Have a lot of one-on-one interaction with clients
Help people with daily living skills, such as feeding, bathing, or cooking
Provide companionship
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20. Entrepreneurial Careers
Offer people an opportunity to establish and run their own businesses
Entrepreneurs
make the decisions for their services or goods
assume the responsibilities and risks for their own businesses
enjoy the flexibility of being one’s own boss
Charlotte Purdy/Shutterstock.com

21. Food, Clothing, and Housing Related Services
Help people meet their needs for food, clothing, and shelter
Assist in making decisions, purchasing, using, and maintaining products and services in these industries
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22. Aptitudes, Attitudes, and Skills
People in human services share common aptitudes, attitudes, and skills
Have a common desire to help people
Are socially perceptive
Are compassionate, caring, and patient
Possess good communication, problem-solving, and time management skills
Can work well in teams and independently
All of these skills and abilities are portable

23. Think Further
What skills and abilities do you have in common with human services workers?
What portable skills would you like to develop?
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24. Common Core of Competencies
Understanding of human development
Awareness of social and societal interactions
Knowledge of how national policy is set and how public policy is used to solve human problems
Consideration of, and respect for, personal values, client values, and corporate culture
Understanding of what people need to live healthy lives and maintain healthy relationships
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25. Common Core of Competencies
Knowledge of conditions that promote or limit optimal healthy living and relationships
Belief that for people with the right resources and support, quality of life can be enhanced
Awareness of resources that can promote healthy functioning

26. Education, Training, and Experience
A career and technical program prepares students for careers in specific trades and occupations that need skilled workers
Available for high school and college students
Combine academics and job-specific skills
An apprenticeship involves working for a qualified professional to learn a skilled trade
Earn a salary while learning important skills
May last from one year to four years
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27. Education, Training, and Experience
Postsecondary educational requirements vary by occupation, and may include
an associate’s degree
a bachelor’s degree
a master’s degree
a doctorate degree
on-the-job training
state licensure, certification, or professional registration
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28. Challenges and Rewards
Dealing with people in times of crisis and need can be challenging and emotionally taxing
In some human services careers, the hours can be quite long and the pay relatively low
Helping people achieve their goals, secure needed resources, and maintain healthy relationships is very gratifying and rewarding
Human services workers work with diverse clients and develop meaningful relationships

29. Human Services Job Outlook
Employment of human services workers is expected to grow much faster than the average for most occupations in the coming decades
As the population grows, so does the need for human services workers
Careers in human services may ebb and flow in relation to what is happening in the overall economy

30. Think Further
What places in your community may experience an increased demand for human services workers as the expected human lifespan continues to lengthen?
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31. Review What is the primary focus of the human services profession?
meeting the needs of people and improving their quality of life
What two factors influenced the formation of human services?
urban density and changing ideologies
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32. Review
Identify the broad employment categories in the field of human services.
consumer services; counseling and mental health services; early childhood development and services; family and community services; personal care services; entrepreneurial careers; and food, clothing, and housing related services
continued

33. Review
What are the common aptitudes, attitudes, and skills of human services workers?
have a common desire to help people; are socially perceptive; are compassionate, caring, and patient; possess good communication, problem-solving, and time management skills; and can work well with others, in teams, and independently
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34. Review
What four degrees may be part of the postsecondary educational requirements for human services workers?
associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and a doctorate degree
What is the job outlook for human services?
employment of human services workers is expected to grow much faster than the average for most occupations in the coming decades