Subspecializations at the University of Maryland School of Social Work Employee Assistance Program | Child, Adolescent, and Family Health Subspecialization
Substance Abuse Subspecialization Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Subspecialization
Chair: Jodi Jacobson, PhD, LCSW-C, CEAP
Contact Information: (410) 706-3607 or jjacobson@ssw.umaryland.edu
Overview
The Employee Assistance Program curriculum is nationally and internationally recognized. In recent years, there has been rapid growth in the demand for human services in the workplace. EAP social workers provide services for employees and employers, including, but not limited to assessment and short-term counseling for mental health and wellness issues, drug and alcohol counseling, and assistance with work-life balance. These relatively new social work specialists are a support to management and a resource to employees and their family members. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) sub-specialization, available within the Mental Health specialization, has a special emphasis in EAPs, work/life programs, and managed behavioral health care. Faculty members at the School of Social Work are recognized experts in EAP and related fields. EAP social work specialists collaborate with program administrators and company management overseeing employee assistance programs and helping to develop and implement workplace policies. Graduates of this program join a rapidly expanding field and are well qualified to implement or staff an employee assistance program in a business or public organization. Employment opportunities also exist at all corporate and government levels, as well as in international settings. Coursework
Students must complete all coursework required for the Mental Health specialization for their chosen concentration (MACO or CLINICAL). All EAP students will take SOWK 725 “Industrial Social Services and Social Policy” for their advanced policy course and SWOA 736 “Administering Employee Assistance Programs” for their advanced methods course. While fulfilling these requirements, students who pursue a primary or secondary CLINICAL (CLINICAL, CLINICAL/maco, or MACO/clinical) concentration will need to complete SWCL 705 (Clinical Social Work with Addictive Behavior Patterns). While SWCL is not required for MACO students, it is strongly recommended as much of the EAP field was derived from occupational alcohol and substance abuse. Additional Information about the EAP Field
For additional information about the EAP field see: - The Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) website: www.eapassn.org and
- The Employee Assistance Society of North American (EASNA) website: www.easna.org
Child, Adolescent, and Family Health Subspecialization
Chair: Edward Pecukonis, PhD
Child, adolescent, and family health social workers practice in a variety of settings, including prenatal clinics, well-baby centers, pediatric intensive care units, school-based health centers, programs for pregnant and parenting teens, and child development centers. They also practice in settings for children with chronic illnesses, disabilities, and handicapping conditions in state and local departments of public health, and in child advocacy organizations. Depending on the setting and their position, they may provide direct services, organize parents and other constituencies, administer programs, formulate policy, or advocate for improved services. The Child, Adolescent, and Family Health subspecialization is part of the health specialization. Students must satisfactorily complete the health specialization requirements for their chosen concentration. In addition, they substitute Social Work Research in Child, Adolescent, and Family Health (SOWK 789) for the Advanced research requirement and take Social Work Practice in Maternal and Child Health (SWCL 714). With one concentration, this requires 60 credits. If a student wants to subspecialize and has a secondary concentration, the student will still take 63 credits. Currently, the School’s Center for Social Work Leadership in Maternal and Child Health offers four stipends yearly. Applicants to the School and enrolled students are eligible. Stipends are awarded on a competitive basis to students who have committed to a career in child, adolescent, and family health; committed to working with underserved populations; demonstrated leadership capacity; are academically superior; and have the potential to be superior practitioners. For more information, contact the Center for Social Work Leadership in Maternal and Child Health at 410-706-5109. Substance Abuse Subspecialization
Chair: Llewellyn Cornelius, PhD
Social work practice in the substance abuse field is growing. This growth is in part the result of an expanded definition and approach to substance abuse problems, which include the contribution of social and environmental factors. Through the conception, development, preparation for delivery, and evaluation of policies and social services, the substance abuse specialization prepares students to become active practitioners in improving the lives of people affected by substance abuse. The subspecialization prepares students to work in direct practice (clinical, social administration, and community organization) and in organizations and agencies that improve the lives of people directly affected by substance abuse (individuals, organizations, communities, and society). The substance abuse subspecialization, available in the mental health specialization, provides a broad understanding of the field. Students will be introduced to substance abuse programs and policies and learn how to analyze and evaluate them. The subspecialization also provides a theoretical base that includes interdisciplinary content crucial to working in the substance abuse field: past and current research in the field and the opportunity to develop skills specific to working with clients affected by substance abuse, and in working with programs and organizations targeted to this population and its needs. Coursework
During the Advanced Practice Year, students take Substance Abuse and Social Policy (SOWK 717), a specialized addictions course, and a relevant research course. Students also spend three days a week in a setting where they work with substance abuse-related issues from either a clinical, management, or community organization perspective. top | | | | |
