Children, Youth and Families

Social workers strive to improve the physical and emotional well-being of deprived and/or abused children who are living in their own homes or in institutions. Trained professionals advise parents on child-care, coordinate medical care (physical or psychological), arrange day care services, and investigate any alleged abuse. Sometimes a social worker must intervene to protect a child by initiating legal action or arranging for temporary foster care or permanent adoption.

Helping today’s youth cope with life in an uncertain, complex and demanding world requires social workers to work in schools, runaway shelters, recreational centers, neighborhood youth centers, clinics, residential treatment centers, correctional institutions, and family service agencies.

To help society’s members adjust to new and enduring family lifestyles, social workers also provide families with group and individual counseling. Services to families address such issues as family communication, child behavior problems, marital distress, school related problems, divorce and step-parenting.