HDFS 258NIntroduction to Child Maltreatment and Advocacy Studies

3 credits · Human Development and Family Studies · Penn State

Introduction to the multidisciplinary field of child maltreatment. CMAS (HD FS) 258 Introduction to Child Maltreatment and Advocacy Studies (3) This course will focus on the identification, investigation, service, advocacy, prosecution, and prevention of child maltreatment as well as the treatment of adverse health outcomes for children who have been maltreated. Specific topics include the causes, correlates, and consequences of child maltreatment, best practices for reporting and investigating an allegation of child maltreatment, evidence-based prevention and intervention programs, the Child Welfare System, and relevant legal issues (e.g., termination of parental rights, children's testimony in court, etc.). By definition, this course will detail issues related to the abuse and neglect of children. This material can be difficult to hear, view, and discuss. This course is a required course, and a prerequisite for all advanced courses, for a Minor in Child Maltreatment and Advocacy Studies.