Social Services for Families, Seniors and Those with Disabilities from Coursera

Course 4 discusses four populations: families, poor families, people with disabilities, and people as they age. This course addresses issues of power, oppression, and white supremacy.

-The first module identifies the needs of children and the role of the state in child development. We will explore changes in the family and the resulting debates about how to best support families and child development. We’ll appraise family leave and child care programs for their role in supporting paid work and in strengthening child development, as well as income support efforts including the child tax credit and proposals for a family allowance.

-The second module begins with a description of child poverty—both the forces leading to it, and its effects. This module also describes public support programs and critiques the debates surrounding them.

-The third module focuses on persons living with disabilities, evaluating the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. We will also critique the processes of establishing a disability social insurance program and the public aid programs that make people with disabilities eligible for income support and health support.

-The final module begins with a report on the aging of the U.S. population. Building on this, we’ll examine social insurance programs and public aid programs for seniors for their longterm viability, and assess the various reforms that have been proposed to stabilize these programs.

The course is part of a sequence in social policy that has an HONORS TRACK. This track will prepare the learner for masters-level work in policy, which involves reading the literature, writing concise summaries and probing critiques. Over the sequence the learner will develop a policy analysis that will create a foundation for professional policy analyst assignments.

What's inside

Syllabus

Policies for Families and Children

In this module, the learner will differentiate the various needs of families raising children in the contemporary world and will compare various approaches to providing safety, stimulation and resources to the family. The module will examine childcare, employment and income supports

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores issues related to poor families, people with disabilities, and people as they age

Evaluates the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act

Examines social insurance and public aid programs for seniors

Part of a sequence in social policy, this course provides a foundation for masters-level work in policy

Prepares learners for masters-level work in policy

Develops a policy analysis foundation for professional policy analyst assignments

Reviews summary

Deep dive into us social policy

According to learners, this course offers a deep dive into US social policy covering crucial populations including families, seniors, and those with disabilities. Many found the content highly relevant for understanding current policy landscapes and preparing for policy analysis roles. The course is described as challenging, particularly the Honors Track assignments, requiring a significant time commitment and heavy reading load. Students appreciated the instructor's expertise and insights, though some noted the course presents a specific perspective on issues like power and oppression, which resonated with some while others found it potentially limiting. Overall, it's seen as a rigorous and valuable course for those serious about understanding and working in social policy.

Instructor offers insightful, specific viewpoints.

"The instructor's perspective on power, oppression, and white supremacy added a critical lens to the policy discussions."

"I found the instructor's insights incredibly valuable and thought-provoking."

"While knowledgeable, the instructor's specific framing of certain issues felt limiting to some degree."

"The lectures provided strong arguments rooted in a particular viewpoint on social justice."

Provides rigorous grad school prep.

"The Honors Track really prepares you for masters-level work; the assignments were challenging but rewarding."

"If you're serious about policy grad school, the Honors Track is essential."

"The level of analysis required for the Honors assignments pushed my critical thinking significantly."

"The Honors Track assignments were demanding but simulated real policy analysis tasks well."

Excellent preparation for policy analysis.

"This course is highly relevant if you are pursuing a career in social policy or planning for graduate school."

"The policy analysis skills developed here are directly applicable to professional work."

"It provides the foundational knowledge needed to understand and critique social programs."

"I feel much better prepared to engage with policy issues after taking this course."

Offers a thorough look at US social policy.

"This course gave me a solid understanding of key social policies impacting families, seniors, and people with disabilities in the US."

"I gained valuable insights into policies like TANF, SNAP, ADA, and Social Security, which was crucial for my understanding."

"The modules covered the core populations and policies effectively, providing a good foundation for policy analysis."

"I really appreciated the depth of discussion around policies for persons with disabilities."

Requires significant time and effort.

"Be prepared for a heavy workload, especially with the readings and assignments."

"The course is quite challenging, demanding significant time each week to keep up."

"The intensity of the Honors Track assignments was higher than expected, requiring deep engagement."

"I found balancing the readings, lectures, and assignments quite difficult at times."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Social Services for Families, Seniors and Those with Disabilities with these activities:

Read through the course syllabus

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Reviewing the syllabus before the course starts will help you get familiar with the topics that will be covered and the expectations for the course.

Browse courses on Course Syllabus

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Locate the course syllabus
Read through the syllabus carefully
Make note of important dates and deadlines

Review concepts from Child Psychology

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Review the basic principles of child development to refresh your understanding of the needs of children.

Browse courses on Child Psychology

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Read a textbook or online resources on child psychology
Take practice quizzes or tests to assess your understanding
Discuss child development concepts with peers or mentors

Review key concepts from previous social policy courses

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Review the fundamental principles and concepts of social policy to strengthen your understanding and prepare for this course.

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Review notes and materials from previous courses
Take practice quizzes or tests to assess your understanding
Discuss key concepts with peers or mentors

Six other activities

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Develop a child care plan

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Create a plan to provide quality care for children, considering different age groups and their developmental needs.

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Research different child care options and their benefits
Create a budget and plan for funding child care
Identify potential caregivers and interview them
Develop a schedule and routine for child care

Write a summary of income support programs

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Summarize and explain the different income support programs available for families, such as the child tax credit and family allowance.

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Research and gather information on income support programs
Identify the key features and benefits of each program
Organize and write a clear and concise summary
Proofread and edit your summary

Learn about assistive technology for people with disabilities

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Explore the latest assistive technologies and how they can enhance the lives of people with disabilities.

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Watch online tutorials and webinars on assistive technology
Read articles and research studies on assistive technology
Attend workshops or conferences on assistive technology

Solve poverty reduction strategy case studies

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Analyze and solve case studies on poverty reduction strategies to develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

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Read and understand the case study
Identify the key issues and challenges
Develop and evaluate potential solutions
Write a report summarizing your analysis and recommendations

Attend a workshop on social policy analysis

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Deepen your understanding of social policy analysis methods and enhance your ability to critically evaluate policies.

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Research and identify a relevant workshop
Register for and attend the workshop
Actively participate in discussions and activities
Take notes and ask questions

Design a long-term care plan for an older adult

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Develop a comprehensive plan to support the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of an older adult.

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Assess the individual's needs and preferences
Research and identify appropriate care options
Create a budget and plan for financing long-term care
Develop a schedule and routine for caregiving
Monitor and adjust the plan as needed

Career center

Learners who complete Social Services for Families, Seniors and Those with Disabilities will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Social Worker

A Social Worker helps people who are struggling with a variety of issues, including poverty, disability, and aging. This course provides a strong foundation in the policies and programs that are designed to help these populations, which would be invaluable to a Social Worker.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Policy Analyst

A Policy Analyst researches and analyzes public policies to make recommendations for improvements. This course would be very helpful for a Policy Analyst who wants to specialize in social policy, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the policies and programs that affect families, children, people with disabilities, and older adults.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Disability Advocate

A Disability Advocate helps people with disabilities to access the services and support that they need. This course would be very helpful for a Disability Advocate, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the policies and programs that affect people with disabilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Disability Advocate

Geriatric Social Worker

A Geriatric Social Worker helps older adults with a variety of issues, including health care, housing, and financial planning. This course would be very helpful for a Geriatric Social Worker, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the policies and programs that affect older adults.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geriatric Social Worker

Child Welfare Specialist

A Child Welfare Specialist works to protect children from abuse and neglect. This course would be very helpful for a Child Welfare Specialist, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the policies and programs that affect children and families.

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Family Counselor

A Family Counselor helps families to cope with a variety of challenges, including poverty, disability, and aging. This course would be very helpful for a Family Counselor, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the policies and programs that affect families.

See salaries and explore the career path for Family Counselor

Poverty Advocate

A Poverty Advocate helps people who are living in poverty to access the services and support that they need. This course would be very helpful for a Poverty Advocate, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the policies and programs that affect people living in poverty.

See salaries and explore the career path for Poverty Advocate

Rehabilitation Counselor

A Rehabilitation Counselor helps people with disabilities to regain their independence and live full and productive lives. This course would be very helpful for a Rehabilitation Counselor, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the policies and programs that affect people with disabilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Rehabilitation Counselor

Social Policy Researcher

A Social Policy Researcher conducts research on social policies to inform policy decisions. This course would be very helpful for a Social Policy Researcher who wants to specialize in social policy, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the policies and programs that affect families, children, people with disabilities, and older adults.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Policy Researcher

Special Education Teacher

A Special Education Teacher works with students with disabilities to help them reach their full potential. This course would be very helpful for a Special Education Teacher, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the policies and programs that affect people with disabilities.

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Substance Abuse Counselor

A Substance Abuse Counselor helps people who are struggling with substance abuse to recover. This course would be very helpful for a Substance Abuse Counselor, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the policies and programs that affect people who are struggling with substance abuse.

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Social Service Administrator

A Social Service Administrator oversees the operation of social service programs. This course would be very helpful for a Social Service Administrator, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the policies and programs that affect social service programs.

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Public Health Nurse

A Public Health Nurse works to improve the health of communities. This course would be very helpful for a Public Health Nurse, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the policies and programs that affect the health of families, children, people with disabilities, and older adults.

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Geriatric Nurse Practitioner

A Geriatric Nurse Practitioner provides primary care to older adults. This course would be very helpful for a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the policies and programs that affect older adults.

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Hospice Nurse

A Hospice Nurse provides care to people who are dying. This course would be very helpful for a Hospice Nurse, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the policies and programs that affect people who are dying and their families.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hospice Nurse