CHFD 498 A1

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American Military University *

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498

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Sociology

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Apr 3, 2024

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Uploaded by ChancellorViperMaster571

1 Career Opportunities Research and Report NAME American Public University CHFD 498: Senior Seminar in Child and Family Development Dr. Bethanne Shriner February 18 th , 2024

2 Child Life Specialist This career is mostly in the medical field, at pediatric hospitals. This job requires strong communication skills and working efficiently under pressure. As a Child Life Specialist (CLS) your main focus is on the child being treated and their family. A CLS is to help children cope and understand why they are in the hospital and what to expect. On top of helping the child, they also have to explain what is going on to their family. Depending on the scenario, they will provide resources and coping mechanisms while their child is being treated and possibly at-home care. Most of the time, CLSs don’t have time to prepare for a family and the scenarios that come with them (Green, 2018). They have to listen to the family and work under pressure to provide answers and resources. While this field is competitive, there are times when you do not work with children and their families. A CLS can be doing administrative duties, cleaning toys, planning special events, mentoring, staff meetings, and certification maintenance (Green, 2018). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2016 CLS employment was 53,500 and is projected to grow 7% by 2026 (Green, 2018). To become a CLS, one needs to have a background in child development. Joining this job is becoming more appealing because not everyone has the opportunity to attend a four-year college. An associate degree, certification, and experience can help one enter this field (Green, 2018). I anticipate that this field will keep expanding, particularly for people who wish to work with children in medical facilities. Early Childhood Intervention Early Intervention Specialists assist children with developmental delays and disabilities between the ages of 0 and 3 in learning fundamental skills that they might otherwise struggle to acquire (Grimmet, 2023). Early Intervention Specialists work in a particular geographic area, providing services in the homes of their clients. They can also be

3 employed by a variety of organizations, including state social services offices, public or private schools, hospitals, daycare centers, preschools, and therapy offices (Grimmet, 2023). This work is typically completed through play in the family's home, one-on-one. Early Intervention Specialists must communicate and build relationships with families. They offer suggestions for extra services such as audiology, physical therapy, assistive technology, and respite care (Grimmet, 2023). To become an Early Intervention Specialist, one must have a four-year degree in education, early childhood development, social work, psychology, sociology, and family sciences (Grimmet, 2023). This job field has a broad spectrum of specialties. They can work as a speech therapist, nutritionist, behavioral intervention specialists, and physical therapist. In the United States, there are over 3,741 early intervention specialists (Grimmet, 2023). While this is a small number and a lot of education is required, having the option to work in many fields leads to the job field to continue expanding. Adult Protective Services This line of work assists individuals eighteen years of age and above who, because of a physical or mental disability, are incapable of defending themselves against financial exploitation, abuse, neglect, or other harm, or who have no one else who can and will provide them with appropriate assistance (Office of Children and Family Services [OCFS], n.d.). Adult Protective Services (APS) is a mandatory service provided by local social services. Being an APS specialist requires one to investigate reports made, provide counseling for the victimized adults and their families, develop service plans, respond to 24-hour phone lines, and communicate with sworn officers and representatives of law enforcement agencies (Office of Children and Family Services [OCFS], n.d.). To become an APS specialist one must have a bachelor's degree or higher in social work or a related field and at least two years of social work experience working with the elderly and/or disabled.

4 The organization has a hotline that is accessible 365 days, 24/7, and can be accessed virtually or in person. APS falls under the social worker category. From 2022 to 2032, the total employment of social workers is expected to grow by 7%, faster than the average for all occupations (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023d). The organization's awareness of contemporary society and spreading the fact that adults may experience mistreatment contribute to the continued growth of this job opportunity. Court Appointed Special Service Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are volunteers who advocate for children in a courtroom setting due to abuse or neglect. They investigate, research, and interview children and the scenario they are in. They give the child an explanation of what is happening, along with any court cases or other events taking place in their lives (Voices for CASA Children, n.d.). They attend all hearings and meetings that pertain to the case. They also take notes and write reports for the court, keep many things confidential, and be professional. The community volunteers must be at least 21 years old, have completed at least 30 hours of pre-service training, and be willing to stay with the CASA program until the case is resolved (Voices for CASA Children, n.d.). There is no current educational background needed to become a CASA. According to the Voices for CASA Children, there are only 1,000 CASAs in the United States (n.d.). This career field has the potential to continue growing due to children needing an advocate, the process to become a volunteer is hands-on, and any community member can volunteer. Head Start Administrator/Teacher Head Start Administrators and Teachers assist low-income families in preparing their young children, aged 0-5, for elementary school and offer other services for the entire family like nutrition classes and prenatal care for expecting mothers. The job duties are much like a

5 preschool teacher or early childhood educator. One will need to be able to meet with parents, develop or support curriculums that meet each child's needs, manage classroom operations with or without assistance, report any developmental concerns, and, most importantly, handle emergencies that arise (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023b). Apart from the duties of assisting the student in class, there may be additional requirements such as obtaining programs, information, and resources for all kinds of families. These could include gathering details about low- or free-cost healthcare, assisting a family in applying for Food Stamps, providing free prenatal care, and conducting home visits to make sure the family is doing well. To become a Head Start Administrator or Teacher one must have an associate's degree but most jobs require a minimum of a bachelor's degree in child development along with experience working with children. Most Head Start programs hire those with no experience or degree as a teacher's assistant to help gain experience and then move up to a lead teacher position. Depending on the state one resides, one might have to get a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in addition to having a degree (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023b). Head Start workers need to be highly skilled communicators and creative thinkers who build relationships with parents and have an understanding of families from a range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Preschool teachers are expected to fill 56,300 positions annually on average over the next ten years, a 3% increase, which is roughly as fast as the average for all occupations (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023b). I see this career field expanding because low-income families do use this program and education is a necessity all families want and need. Forensic Interviewer Forensic Interviewers work with children who have been abused or neglected and conduct professional and unbiased interviews. The objective is to obtain from the child as

6 much specific information as possible regarding the incident or events; by doing so, the legal professionals hope to avoid having to interview the child more than once (N.C. Division of Social Services and the Family and Children’s Resource Program, 2002). To gather evidence that will hold up in court, forensic interviews are carefully controlled: the interviewer's statements and body language must be neutral, alternative explanations for a child's statements are thoroughly explored, and the results of the interview are documented in such a way that they can be refuted. Most forensic interviewers will speak with the child alone in a safe and controlled environment while other forensic interviewers watch and take notes, depending on the circumstances of the case (N.C. Division of Social Services and the Family and Children’s Resource Program, 2002). Skills required in this field are knowing DA’s Task Force Protocol, testifying and defending interviews in court, scheduling interviews with/for law enforcement, having strong verbal and written communication skills, interacting with children of all ages and developmental levels, and react and adapt to changing situations appropriately (N.C. Division of Social Services and the Family and Children’s Resource Program, 2002). This field of work can be seen as a social worker. The main difference is that it is recommended you have a bachelor's degree in Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, or a related field (N.C. Division of Social Services and the Family and Children’s Resource Program, 2002). You will also be required to complete Forensic Interviewer training and complete a written exam. This line of work can be in law enforcement, the legal system, or a particular branch of government that focuses on crimes against children. I see this job field growing since individuals can work with children and the legal system. While there is no percentage for Forensic Interviewers alone, it does work within social work. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of social workers is predicted to grow by 7%, faster than the average for all occupations (2023d).

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