Human Services Certificate Curriculum

Classes are held on the campus of PVCC and are scheduled from Monday through Friday, generally beginning at 9:00 a.m., and ending at 12-noon. Some afternoons and evenings there are other required non-academic activities, commitments and support groups. To allow time for personal appointments and activities, there are no classes scheduled on Friday afternoons.

There are 15 credit hours awarded for 16 weeks of intensive classroom training followed by 6 credit hours awarded for 12 weeks (20 hours per week), of a supervised paid internship in the student's expected future work place and an additional related independent study project.

Spring Semester – 15 Credit Hours

HMS 195: Survey of Mental Health Services in Virginia (3 credit hours) 30 hours of classroom contact, 32 hours of practicum experience at Region Ten CSB.

Includes history of community mental health services in Virginia, current funding and legislative issues in Virginia mental health, history of the MH consumer movement, models of consumer-operated services, and current principles and models of psychiatric rehabilitation.
Additionally, topic areas identified as crucial information by the employers will also be covered in this class (i.e., mental retardation, etc.). Guest lecturers will provide specific information about current CSB programs. Students will complete a four week, 8 hours per week practicum placement in a setting that will be as close as possible to the one in which they will have their internship. Weekly group supervision meetings will take place during practicum placements.

HMS 198: Professional Skill Development (3 credit hours)
45 hours of classroom contact.

Focuses on acquiring the skills necessary to successfully make the transition from the role of consumer/client to that of services provider. Specific skills will include managing emotions, conflict resolution and learning to be appropriately assertive in the workplace.
A major part of the course will focus on issues related to professional ethics (confidentiality, professionalism, boundaries and roles, personal values, etc.). Areas of cultural diversity/sensitivity and methods of partnering effectively with consumers in achieving service plan goals will also be explored.

HMS 295: Understanding Serious Mental Illness (3 credit hours)
45 hours of classroom contact.

Focuses on what is currently known about etiology, signs and symptoms of serious mental illnesses, current medications and their role in treatment, and other clinical and rehabilitative interventions. Also explores dual diagnosis issues.
Major emphasis will be on developing an understanding of relapse, relapse prevention, and recovery. Crisis theory and intervention will also be covered, including early identification, developing plans for interventions, and making plans for avoiding/minimizing future crises.

HMS 298: Principles of Case Management (3 credit hours)
45 hours of classroom contact.

Explores case management theory and practice. By using case examples, students will learn how to identify consumer needs, identify and access services in the community (i.e., transportation, medical care, emergency food resources, etc.), and then effectively link clients to these services.
Students will learn to use their unique strengths and knowledge as consumer providers to develop positive engagement techniques and strong working relationships with consumers, as well as appropriately document their activities.

HMS 196: Communication Skills for Human Services (3 credit hours) 45 hours of classroom contact.

Basic written and verbal communication skills will be addressed, including how to be a better listener, how to respond to people in non-threatening and empathic ways, and how to use the strengths of a consumer provider in establishing therapeutic alliances with consumers. Basic interviewing techniques will be covered through the use of role-playing and written scenarios. Improved writing skills will be emphasized, with extensive practice in writing case notes, letters and memos.
Also includes completing documentation of work with clients to professional standards. Students will use videotaping of role-plays as a major tool in this course. At the beginning of the course, a brief refresher on study tips and techniques will be covered.

Summer Semester - 6 Credit Hours

HMS 290: Coordinated Internship in Human Services
240 hours of supervised paid internship (12 weeks, 20 hours per week), in the student's expected future work place.

Interns will be directly supervised by local agency staff, with regularly scheduled supervision and consultation by VHST faculty. Each student will also complete a journal as well as a written independent study project, focusing on the resources and benefits available to consumers in their local community.

Non-Credit, Required Activities

All students are required to attend two support groups a week for the first six weeks; for the remainder of the semester, one support group per week is required while an additional optional group is available.

All students having any substance abuse issues (either past or present) are required to attend five, twelve-step meetings. These meetings are designed for people with dual diagnoses and are run like MICA or RAP groups. Students wishing to attend more frequent AA/NA meetings, or to continue with weekly meetings are linked to community resources.

During the College's Spring break, students are required to take three, two-hour computer training classes (unless they can demonstrate existing proficiency in WORD and use of email). Even students who are proficient will be encouraged to attend in order to help other students learn. An additional, two-hour review class will be held during exam week, prior to the students returning to their home CSB for their internship.