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Certificate Program in Human Services Case Management
About the program
Academic credit
Non-academic option
Course descriptions
About the program
There is a growing recognition that staff who coordinate and provide direct services require enhanced competencies to address the complex needs of individuals and families. This program builds on-and reinforces-the skills of agency staff. Participating agencies realize the rewards of building a knowledgeable staff skilled at assisting clients to manage their abilities and resources in ways that lead to self-sufficiency.
Center staff can work closely with agencies to address supervision issues like reinforcing learning and building accountability for using new skills. The goal is to ensure that knowledge gained during training transfers to the job.
Academic credit
A certificate in human services case management is awarded upon successful completion of 8 units (six courses) of required coursework and 7.5 units of elective coursework. The program has been approved by the Academic Senate and appropriate academic departments at UC Davis.
Academic credit earned through the program may be applied toward degrees at other institutions of higher education at the discretion of those institutions. The Center works closely with certificate program participants to facilitate this process. Also, we can work with agencies and local educational institutions to transfer academic credit.
Because certificate programs are academic, they require a rigorous course of study. All courses have reading assignments, written assignments and possible final exams. Letter grades are assigned, and a grade of "C" or better is required for each course to be applied to a certificate.
Non-academic option
This program can be customized to meet unique needs and the specific skill set required of a sponsoring agency. Any additional courses, based on the agency's needs, can be created or added in the non-academic series. Reading assignments, written assignments and exams are optional in the non-academic series and no letter grades are assigned. Instead, continuing education units are granted upon completion of the series.
Course descriptions
Core Courses
Elective Courses
Core courses
Policy and Practice in Human Services
2 days (1.5 units)
This course offers a historical overview of public assistance and the development of the human services profession. Core competencies of casework, workplace ethics and professional conduct are considered in terms of their application in a human services setting.
Topics include:
- perspectives on poverty
- theoretical foundations of case work
- the role and purpose of case management
- the influence of values and beliefs on practice
- professional boundaries
- culturally sensitive practice
As a result of this course participants
understand the history and function of the welfare system and case management and how these impact current policy and practice.
Interviewing and Assessing Clients
2 days (1.5 units)
This course covers techniques for communicating with clients in ways that promote a shared understanding of needs. Assessment is addressed from a strengths-based, participant-centered perspective.
Topics include:
- establishing rapport with clients
- key elements of an interview
- resource assessment
- assessment of risk factors, including domestic abuse, substance abuse and mental health issues
As a result of this course participants will have skills for conducting interviews that result in a thorough assessment of client resources, risk factors and strengths.
Case Management
2 days (1.5 units)
This course builds skills for developing, implementing and monitoring effective case plans and advocating for resources that help clients achieve self-sufficiency.
Topics include:
- the case management cycle
- taking a strengths-based approach to case management
- helping clients define goals for employment and services
- developing and modifying the case plan
- reducing resistance
- making effective referrals
- fostering client responsibility for overcoming barriers
- the case manager's role in job retention
As a result of this course participants
understand stages of case management and have skills to help clients move toward achieving agreed-upon goals.
Helping Skills
2 days (1.5 units)
This course focuses on the interpersonal skills case managers can use to motivate and support clients. It also addresses ways to handle difficult situations that can arise in case management.
Topics include:
- engaging the client
- using motivation and confrontation to promote change
- working effectively with the challenging client
- addressing crises
- maintaining cultural sensitivity
As a result of this course participants have a variety of methods to help clients with personal issues that can arise in moving toward self-sufficiency.
Technical and Organizational Skills
1.5 days (1 unit)
This course covers techniques case managers can use to organize their work to meet the many demands of the job. It also addresses some technical aspects of case management in a human services setting related to helping clients find work and access resources.
Topics include:
- organizing and prioritizing work
- time management
- case documentation and narrative
- the job search process and resume writing
- community resource lists
As a result of this course participants develop skills for taking an organized approach to their work and their assistance to clients.
Customer Service, Community Collaboration and Marketing
1.5 days (1 unit)
This course addresses skills for working effectively with agencies, clients and the public in ways that improve service, foster positive relations and promote the purposes of human services initiatives.
Topics include:
- developing a customer-service orientation
- assessing customer-service standards
- sustaining excellent customer service
- marketing human services programs
- working in collaborative teams
- using collaboration to access community resources
As a result of this course participants understand the principles of customer-focused service delivery. They also understand the roles of marketing and collaboration in coordinating services
to clients.
Elective courses
Employment Services Skills
2 days (1.5 units)
This course focuses on core knowledge and skills for working with clients and employers.
Topics include:
- job search techniques
- labor market information
- labor laws
- employer services
- job retention
- marketing collaboratively to employers and job seekers
As a result of this course participants are equipped to positively influence client and employer outcomes.
Barriers to Self-Sufficiency
4 days (3 units)
This course offers an in-depth examination of significant barriers to client self-sufficiency.
Topics include:
- substance abuse
- behavioral mental health issues
- domestic abuse
- child abuse
Using a strengths-based model, participants develop knowledge and skill in identifying and appropriately referring clients.
Working with Families
4 days (1.5 units)
This course provides a framework for working with clients and their families.
Topics include:
- family dynamics
- family-centered assessment
- family strengths and supports
- multiple problems in a family setting
As a result of this course participants can utilize a strengths-based and family-centered approach to their work.
Special Topics in Human Services
2 days (1.5 units)
This course focuses on issues facing workers, clients and agencies.
Topics include:
- current research and practice for dealing with child care
- transportation
- child support
- community resources
- human services-related issues
As a result of this course participants will learn to maximize partnerships to achieve client self-sufficiency.
Practicum and Integrative Seminar
90 hours (3 units)
As part of the certificate program, participating agencies may choose to substitute the practicum and integrative seminar in place of 3.0 units of elective courses. Near the end of the program participants can undertake projects that demonstrate the knowledge and skill they have gained. Designed in consultation with a field instructor and a sponsoring agency, projects provide an opportunity to merge theory with practice. Student presentations
complete the program.
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