Human Services Case Study

830 Words2 Pages

The field of human services is a complex and encompassing profession, which focuses on the well being of individuals and groups. While there are a number of components that fall into the duties and sphere of influence of a helper, there are generally three main “functions”: social care, social control, and rehabilitation (Woodside & McClam, 2015, p. 9). Social care refers to assisting individuals who are unable to care for themselves (Woodside & McClam, 2015, p. 9). Social control refers to providing assistance to individuals who can care for themselves, but have been unsuccessful in doing so or have done so in a way that defies generally accepted social norms or community laws (Woodside & McClam, 2015, p. 9). Lastly, rehabilitation refers …show more content…

6), human services has taken a number of steps to try and help the young woman take care both her child and herself. Her case manager facilitated social care through prenatal classes, healthcare services for the mother and her child, childcare resources, parenting classes, and resources to improve her vocational skills (Woodside & McClam, 2015). She then tried to establish rehabilitation, through programs designed to continue education, once the child was born, but the client refused these services (Woodside & McClam, …show more content…

As both mother and child need assistance in a number of different areas, from a number of different agencies/professionals, there needs to be a central facilitator to coordinate all of the working parts. This case manager will contact, facilitate, and coordinate these services in a way that will efficiently provide the care and assistance Almeada and her child needs so that neither becomes lost in the system (Woodside & McClam, 2015, p. 21). Without the assistance of their respective organizations and networks, both Almeada (and subsequently Anne) will continue to struggle to establish self-sufficiency (Woodside & McClam, 2015, p. 8) and unfortunately, face circumstances that could be dire in the end. Unless Almeada receives the care and resources she needs to develop a network within her new neighborhood, find and provide the care her daughter needs, and increase her knowledge and skillset, both her and her child will continue to live in poverty. Unless the home life and welfare of Anne improves significantly, she is at an increased risk for a whole host of issues, including drug abuse, behavioral issues, delinquency and educational difficulties (National Center for Fathering,

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