Social Work Practice with Adolescents in Schools

(3 Credits)

This course is a practice elective which focuses on social work practice within secondary schools (junior and senior high schools) as well as the normative developmental tasks and concerns/problems of early, middle, and late adolescents within school settings. The course will provide an overview of a wide range of social work roles, program models, modalities, and interventive strategies within schools. Attention will be given to a variety of social work roles including, clinical practice with adolescents, parents, families, and groups; consultation and collaboration with interdisciplinary staff within schools and neighboring communities; as well as prevention, program development, and organizational/systems work within schools. Specific areas of focus will include: academic and learning problems, special education, depression and suicidality, acting-out behaviors, issues related to health and sexuality, bullying, violence prevention/intervention, and substance use/abuse.advocacy, and mediation are emphasized. The course addresses current urban issues that influence school practice such as violence, homelessness, AIDS, substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, diversity, and cross-cultural communication.