SOCW631 Legal Issues in Child & FamilySocial Work Practice - CY Track
This course provides students with the legal background for child and family social work practice. Students will gain an understanding of the legal system, its functions, organization, jurisdiction, and case processing method, and policies and programs emanating from public policy and/or the family and juvenile courts that impact the lives of children and families. Students will learn specifically about the family and juvenile court systems in California and laws relating to children, including child abuse, neglect, domestic violence, child welfare, custody, divorce, juvenile justice, educational rights, and health and mental health care. Discussions will include the administrative, legislative, and judicial decisions that impact the social welfare services provided to children and families. Students will gain skills for analyzing legal decisions, supporting children and families in legal and court interactions, advocating for policies and programs that support children and families, and using supervision and consultation in support of effective and ethical practice within the client’s legal context. Attention will be given to the needs of children and families from diverse cultural and language groups and at risk and vulnerable populations in the context of their interactions with the legal system.