Social Services for Children, Adolescents and Families
SBS 222
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
SBS 222 demonstrates the crucial role of federal and state governments in advancing the health and well-being of children and families in the United States. The course begins with a historical overview of how political forces driven by power and privilege systematically led to the oppression of populations of vulnerable children. While reviewing the constellation of current social services, participants will study progressive movements that both succeeded and failed to provide families with opportunities to overcome social injustices and rise from the ill effects of poverty. Students will examine current political tensions and partisan strategies that structure the content and delivery of social services. Assignments will require individuals to prepare data-driven briefings, op-eds, or position papers focused on legislation and programs relevant to women, children, adolescents, and families. Briefing topics may include Executive Orders or legislation related to topics such as: immigration, poverty, childhood trauma, historical trauma of marginalized populations, institutional racism, adoption, foster care, family and community violence, reproductive rights, childcare, social determinants of neurological development, mental health services for children, and other areas of student interest. Social services will be examined from multi-partisan, diverse political perspectives during the 120th Congress, which started on January 3, 2027. Particular focus will be given to course-related legislation carried over from the 199th to the 120th Congress following the November 2026 midterm elections. The effects of Executive Orders on services for women, children, and families since the November 2024 Presidential election will also be evaluated. Select guest speakers from government or NGOs will present innovative and novel approaches to service delivery. In addition, each guest speaker will briefly speak about their career trajectory in human services.
Course Activities: Seminar discussion based on history, current political trends, and policy, student-led briefings, and simulated in-class political discourse that reaches into political and ideological divides.
Class Notes
In-class presentations, briefings, and discourse between class meetings:
Participants are expected to research and prepare materials to lead and engage in class discussions and simulated political discourse on services for women, children, and families. They should develop the professional skill to analyze policy from a multi-partisan perspective. Success in this course relies on the ability to objectively evaluate and discuss political viewpoints across the entire ideological spectrum—from far left to extreme right—and understand how diverse values influence legislative activities in the 120th Congress.
Guest Lecturers:
Throughout the semester, guest lecturers from government, industry, or healthcare may present on innovations in service delivery. The seminar aims to enhance understanding of how social services came to exist, currently operate, and the ways in which they fulfill their stated goals—or fail to do so.
The material presented will complement work in maternal and child health, policy, and services. Students are encouraged to think of improved and more effective approaches to service delivery and to become actively involved in local and national policy debates and political discourse throughout their professional careers. Students will be encouraged to seek out opposing viewpoints on issues related to services and the welfare of children, youth, and families in order to become more effective advocates and influencers.
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