Class Descriptions

Social Work with Military Service Members, Veterans and their Families

SW778

Credits:	1
Prerequisites:	None

Pathway Associations

Community Change
Global
Interpersonal Practice	Elective (Host)
Mgmt & Leadership
Policy & Political
Program Evaluation
Older Adults
Children & Families

Course Description

This course was designed to increase the knowledge base and competency level of social workers who plan to work with (or are interested in) military service members, veterans, and their families. This will be accomplished by introducing students to basic military background and structure, the common problem-areas experienced by this community, and the diverse subgroups that exist within this unique population.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate improved cultural competency in the areas of the military, veteran and family populations. Students will also be able to identify specific evidence-based interventions for engaging this population in a community-based or clinical setting. The practice area of this course will be identified as Interpersonal Practice and Mental Health.

Objectives

1. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate improved cultural competency in the areas of the military, veteran and family populations (EPAS Competency 1: 2, 4, 6.)
2. Students will be able to assess the unique challenges that exist for military service members, veterans and their family members in the context of identifying available resources, deployment cycles, trauma and readjustment (EPAS 7, 8, 9, 10b
3. Students will also be able to identify specific evidence-based interventions for engaging the veteran population in a clinical or community-based setting (EPAS 6, 9, 10c.).
4. Students will be able to identify the specific cultural competencies that are needed when working with the military, veteran and family population (EPAS 4, 7, 9,10).

Design

The content covered in this course will include subject areas such as military culture, trauma, life after service (transition), problems/issues faced by family members and the study of specific populations within the service such as women, other minorities, and the LGBT population. In addition to improving the cultural competency in the areas listed above, students will also be exposed to the diverse and unique challenges faced by the veterans of different war eras (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, and current conflicts). Time will also be spent discussing the kinds of clinical skills that are important for social workers to possess when working with this population. The skills that will be addressed include completing culturally-competent behavioral health diagnostic assessments, motivational interviewing, clinical interventions and working with treatment-resistant clients.

Intensive Focus on Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice (PODS)

The content covered in this course will include subject areas such as military culture, trauma, life after service (transition), problems/issues faced by family members and the study of specific populations within the service such as women, other minorities, and the LGBT population.