Learning Resources

Human Services Roles and Functions

Schram, B., Mandell, B.R., Dann, P.L., & Peterson, L. (2020). An introduction to human services: Policy and practice (9th ed.). Pearson.

• Chapter 7, “Working with Diversity” (pp. 160–206)
• Chapter 8, “Interviewing” (pp. 207–236)
• Chapter 9, “Direct Strategies: Working with People One-on–One” (pp. 237–254)
• Chapter 10, “Working with Groups” (255–276)
• Chapter 11, “Planning a Human Service Program” (pp. 277–298)
• Chapter 12, “Indirect Strategies: Organizing for Change” (pp. 299–322)

Penn, S., & Baartmans, H. (2018). A phenomenological study on meaningful professional experiences for human services professionals. Journal of Human Services, 38(1), 35–44.

To Prepare

• Review your Course Announcements for possible information related to this week’s Discussion and Assignment.
• Reflect on your initial perceptions of the human services profession.
• Revisit the assigned chapters in the course text to refresh your memory about different advanced human services professional practitioner roles and functions.
• Read the article, “A Phenomenological Study on Meaningful Professional Experiences for Human Services Professionals.” Reflect on the nature of human services work based on the themes the authors identified from interviews with advanced human services professional practitioners.
• Based on what you have learned, consider how your perception of the human services profession has changed.

By Day 4

Post a response to the following questions: How do the various advanced human services professional practitioner roles that you have learned about in this course align with what you previously believed is the purpose of the human services profession? In what ways has your perception of the profession changed?

By Day 6

Respond to two of your colleagues’ postings by sharing an insight gained from reading their posts. Explain how your colleagues’ postings have changed your perception or understanding of the human services profession.