CHAD516: Introduction to Adolescent Advocacy (3 hours lecture)

Through the text and journal articles, student will analyze issues of advocacy and autonomy for adolescents, focusing on those adolescents who interact with Child Protective System (CPS). This broad, introductory course will consider the need for advocacy in order to empower adolescents to gain autonomy, and will apply these insights to adolescent development, adolescents in the family, adolescents amongst their peers, as well as in the fields of basic needs, abuse and neglect, crime and violence, education, CPS and aging out, work, physical health care, mental health care and family dissolution. This will enable students to use their new, more sophisticated understanding of the struggles of adolescence in practical aspects of advocacy, both within and without of CPS. 3 sh.

CHAD518: Development and Trauma in Adolescence (3 hours lecture)

Through the text, journal articles, class lecture and class discussion, students will gain an understanding of the various forms of trauma affecting adolescents. Particular focus will be placed on familial (e.g., incest, physical abuse), non-familial (e.g., gang related violence, sexual and non-sexual assault), as well as other forms of trauma, such as those that may emanate from the service delivery system, interpersonal losses associated with termination of parental rights and removal from the home, among others. 3 sh.

CHAD520: Adolescents and the System (3 hours lecture)

This course will take a comprehensive approach to understanding the variety of issues and circumstances that bring adolescents to the attention of different systems, including child welfare, juvenile justice, immigration, and emotional/behavioral health, among others. Special issues related to aging out of foster care will be reviewed, as well as issues related to the educational needs of adolescents involved in these systems. A special emphasis will be placed on reviewing best practices in these different systems and collaborating among the systems. 3 sh.

CHAD560: Engaging the Adolescent (3 hours lecture)

Through the text journal articles, class lecture and class discussion, students will gain an understanding of the best methods of engaging adolescents who have or may have experienced trauma. Students will also explore appropriate methods of questioning and building rapport with adolescents in order to obtain reliable information and promote positive working relations with adolescents. 3 sh.

CHAD682: Seminar in Adolescent Advocacy

This course is designed to meet the needs of the post-BA students who see an in depth, integrative understanding of the field of adolescent advocacy and its relationship to other disciplines that serve the needs of children and families. This course will rely on specialists in the field to present research, relevant policy and legislation, knowledge of their field, and opportunities for post-BA graduates. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CHAD 501 and CHAD 516 for students in MA in Child Advocacy. CHAD 516 and CHAD 518 for students in Post-BA in Adolescent Advocacy.