Introduction to Child Welfare

Catalog description

This introductory social work course provides a comprehensive overview of the child welfare system and develops foundational knowledge and skills for understanding and engaging in child welfare practice. The course is a starting point for students interested in or pursuing careers in child welfare and protection services. Students examine the historical context of child welfare and the legal frameworks and policy that guide practice. New Jersey’s child welfare system is specifically examined, and ethical and cultural considerations are explored. Students learn to identify child maltreatment and assess risk, explore decision-making processes, and practice case planning and casework skills through simulations and case studies. The intersecting social context of child welfare such as poverty, mental health, domestic violence, and substance abuse, among others, are addressed throughout the course. The realities of child welfare professionals, including caseload management, secondary trauma, recognizing biases (individual and systemic), documentation, and worker safety are explored. This course is required for social work majors applying for a supervised field placement in the Baccalaureate Child Welfare Education Program (BCWEP) and must be taken prior to the start of the field practicum.