ETSU CCRHS training next generation of child welfare advocates
The Lyle House is home to ETSU's College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences' Department of Social Work.
When the state of Tennessee called upon its institutions to offer a certificate program to train more child welfare advocates, East Tennessee State University answered.
Across the state, there is a critical need for more people trained to recognize and intervene when children are being maltreated or abused at all levels of intervention – from the Department of Children’s Services and the court system to police officers and educators.
“This program is designed so people can learn to work together for the best interests of the child and their family, and also to train people how to appropriately intervene,” said Dr. Mary Mullins, chair of the Department of Social Work in ETSU’s College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences (CCRHS). “There’s such a shortage of people, and I felt like it was really important for us to get involved in trying to support and help build the workforce across the state.”
Students getting hands-on learning opportunities is at the core of ETSU’s approach
to education.
The Child Advocacy Studies certificate is designed to complement a bachelor’s degree in fields that would benefit from knowledge of child maltreatment and advocacy strategies such as social work, nursing, criminal justice and education. Students will gain knowledge of working in an interprofessional environment to better meet the needs of survivors of child abuse and their families. The certificate is also nationally recognized by Zero Abuse Project, which helped develop the curriculum.
“We are proud to offer this program, and eager to begin training a new generation of child welfare advocates,” said Dr. Lynn Williams, CCRHS interim dean. “The College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences strives to graduate our students practice-ready, and this is one more way we can train our students to be exactly that.”
Mullins said the college is already looking at ways they can get students to go beyond the classroom and apply their knowledge in real or simulated situations, and that the course will be very practice-driven from the perspective of various professions.
“I think it’s important that students have an opportunity to apply their skills in real-world situations, and I want them to feel confident when they leave,” said Mullins. “It’s hard work, and it’s people’s lives we’re dealing with. I want them to feel confident that they can support others and provide competent services – that’s really important to me.”
Students getting hands-on learning opportunities is at the core of ETSU’s approach to education, and ETSU aims to help students shift seamlessly from the classroom to the workforce upon graduation.
For more information about the College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences, visit etsu.edu/crhs/. To learn more about the Child Advocacy Studies Certificate, click here.
Stay in Touch
Follow ETSU on Social