Field Manual for 2013-2014 - University of Maryland School of ...

The following sub-specialization is available as part of the Health specialization:
Child, Adolescent and Family Health (CA + FH)
The Child, Adolescent and Family Health sub-specialization prepares students to work in programs for
pregnant and parenting teens; services for children with chronic illnesses, disabilities or handicapping
conditions; school-based health clinics; state and local public health departments; child health
advocacy organizations and other related settings. Students are placed in CA & FH agencies and take
the Health Practice Policy and Human Behavior courses as well as the Child, Adolescent and Family
Health practice and research courses. Students who select this subspecialization must complete all the
Health specialization requirements.
Mental Health
The Mental Health specialization seeks to prepare students to play active roles in improving the mental health
of people through the conception, development, and preparation for delivery and evaluation of mental health
policies and social services in the mental health field. It prepares students to work in direct practice (clinical)
and in organizations and agencies (MACRO) whose goals are to improve the mental health of the population.
The Mental Health specialization provides students with a broad understanding of the mental health care
field. It includes knowledge building of mental health care programs and policies as well the ability to analyze
and evaluate them, a sound theoretical base in the application of social work values and principles to mental
health care, an understanding of mental health care research and opportunity to develop a specific social work
method in the mental health care context. Special attention is paid to current trends in mental health care such
as managed care, new advances in psychotropic drugs, and the use of cognitive behavior treatment. Students
become familiar with how to treat and care for people with severe mental illness. The specialization is available
to students in both the Clinical and the Management and Community Organization concentrations.
The following sub-specialization is available as part of the Mental Health specialization:
Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
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.
Community Action & Social Policy
Social workers specializing in community action and social policy help community organizations and agencies
help themselves. They employ a grassroots, empowerment-based approach and collaborate with other
disciplines and professions to create social and policy change, promote community development, and provide
services to reduce poverty and economic and social inequality. During this era of community fragmentation,
social alienation, and economic degeneration of the poor and the middle class, the need for skilled
professionals in social and community development, policy analysis, and policy advocacy has never been
greater.
The School of Social Work is one of the few schools of social work in the nation that offers a specialization
in these areas. In addition to faculty expertise, we have a strong alumni and social network, and excellent
resources for this specialization. The School is in downtown Baltimore, yet only a short drive or train ride from
the nation’s capital and social policy center, and near the state capital, Annapolis. This prime location provides
a host of opportunities for policy analysis and advocacy at the local, state, and national levels. In addition, the
diversity of the Maryland-DC area provides ample opportunities for both rural and urban social and community
action and development.
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