Child Welfare

The Child Welfare Certificate prepares students for various paraprofessional positions in child welfare, such as child care worker in a group home/residential setting, social service intake specialist, social worker assistant or foster family intake worker. Graduates of the program will be prepared to work as entry-level employees in a variety of settings such as group homes, foster family agencies, adoption agencies, halfway houses, mental health and juvenile correctional facilities, and family, child and service agencies under the direct supervision of social workers and other human services professionals in public and non-profit social service agencies. This certificate also provides a foundation for continuing higher education towards a Bachelor degree in social work, human services and counseling practices related to child welfare. 

The Certificate Program Learning Outcomes are:

• Demonstrate knowledge and skills needed to prepare for an entry-level paraprofessional position in child welfare.

• Discuss, analyze and explain the ethical standards that guide the child welfare worker. 

• Assist consumers and family members in matching needs with available community resources. 

• Demonstrate understanding of safety and risk assessments. 

• Complete and reflect upon service-based learning experience.  

Enrollment projections for courses are as followed:

Required Courses:

HMS-18: 52 students

HMS-19: 32 students

HMS-22: new course; no enrollment data available

HMS-42: new course; no enrollment data available  

WKX HMS 200: 30 students

Elective Courses:

HMS-5: 32 students

HMS-6: 32 students

HMS-24: new course; no enrollment data available

HMS-25: new course; no enrollment data available

HMS-26: 32 students

HMS-35: new course; no enrollment data available

HMS-36: new course; no enrollment data available

HMS-44: new course; no enrollment data available

HMS-47: new course; no enrollment data available

HMS-62: new course; no enrollment data available

HMS-5, HMS-6, HMS-18, HMS-19, HMS-22, HMS-24, HMS-25, HMS-26, HMS-35, HMS-36, HMS-42, HMS-44, and HMS-47 are actively available in Moreno Valley College inventory. HMS-62 has been approved by the BOT and are anticipated to be included in the next addendum issued October 2018. All courses are approved for transfer to the CSU.

The certificate program expects to have 15 – 20 students completing this certificate annually beginning in September 2020.

Mission of Moreno Valley College:  Responsive to the educational needs of its region, Moreno Valley College offers academic programs and student support services which include baccalaureate transfer, professional, pre-professional, and pre-collegiate curricula for all who can benefit from them.  Lifelong learning opportunities are provided, especially, in health and public service preparation.

The goal of the Child Welfare Certificate is to pave a pathway to prepare students for providing services to children and their families. The program aims to develop training of helping professionals in counseling and referral-based services while responding to the needs represented in the community. Graduates will have developed knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to help clients across the micro-macro continuum. 

Elective Courses (6 units total; 3 units per course) Units; Choose from list below:

HMS-5 Introduction to Evaluation and Counseling        

HMS-6 Introduction to Case Management

HMS-24 Careers in Social Work - Self-Care for Human Services Professionals  

HMS-25 Careers in Social Work - Crisis-Intervention Management 

HMS-26 Careers in Social Work - Trauma-Focused Counseling

HMS-35 Behavioral Therapist - Counseling Students with a Learning Disability

HMS-36 Behavioral Therapist - Counseling Families of Special Needs Youth

HMS-44 Justice System Studies – Counseling Youth in Gangs      

HMS-47 Counseling of Residential Treatment Clients

HMS-62 Introduction to the DSM-5                                                                                                 

The certificate program requires the completion of 6 core classes, for a total of 13 – 16 units.

HMS-18 Introduction to Social Work 3 Units

HMS-19 Generalist Practices of Social Work 3 Units

HMS-22 Human Behavior in the Social Environment 3 Units

HMS-42 Family Studies - Counseling in Foster Care   3 Units

WKX HMS 200 Human Services Work Experience   1-2-3-4 Units

In addition, the certificate program requires the completion of 6 elective units from the options listed below:

HMS-5 Introduction to Evaluation and Counseling 3 Units

HMS-6 Introduction to Case Management 3 Units

HMS-24 Careers in Social Work - Self-Care for Human Services Professionals      3 Units

HMS-25 Careers in Social Work - Crisis-Intervention Management                      3 Units   

HMS-26 Careers in Social Work - Trauma-Focused Counseling                              3 Units

HMS-35 Behavioral Therapist - Counseling Students with a Learning Disability 3 Units

HMS-36 Behavioral Therapist - Counseling Families of Special Needs Youth 3 Units

HMS-44 Justice System Studies – Counseling Youth in Gangs 3 Units

HMS-47 Counseling of Residential Treatment Clients 3 Units

HMS-62 Introduction to the DSM-5 3 Units