An Introduction to the Special Section on Professional Standards in Human Services

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics related to human services including accreditation, code of ethics, and assessment tool

Who or Whom? A Program Innovation to Improve the Writing Skills of Human Service Students

Writing is perhaps one of the most essential skills of the human service practitioner. However, many human service students lack the writing skills required to perform the necessary duties of their profession. This article describes an innovative initiative designed to strengthen the writing skills of students enrolled in a baccalaureate-level human services program

Self-Injury and the Role of the Human Service Professional

Given the broad field of human services, human service professionals are likely to encounter self-injury. Thus it is critical that they become knowledgeable about self-injury and understand how to best intervene with clients who self-injure. Through case studies the readers will learn about helpful ways to respond to a client who harms him/her self through the use of a non-judgmental and supportive stance. This manuscript has direct implications for direct human service providers, human service educators, human service students, and supervisors by demonstrating the wide continuum of services humans service professionals can provide to clients who self-injure including: utilizing basic helping skills, educating oneself, issues of confidentiality, how to make referrals, and the importance of creating self-injury protocols

Promoting Character and Resiliency among Elementary School Students: An Assessment of the CARE Now Program

Youth, especially in inner-city areas of the country, are in need of effective, outcome-based camp programs when school is not in session. Character and Resiliency Education (CARE) Now (CN) is a comprehensive in- and afterschool program designed to promote academic enrichment through positive youth development with a focus on enhancing character and resiliency. In the summer of 2013, CN was adapted to create a three-week long day camp at a high-needs elementary school in eastern Virginia. Using theoretically-based and outcome focused programming, CN was widely praised for its effectiveness among youth in this summer camp. To assess its impact, a mix-method approach was used, producing desirable results. Consequently, the supporting organization moved forward to fund CARE Now for a year-long program at the same school

Promoting Character and Resiliency Among Elementary School Students: An Assessment of the CARE Now Program

Youth, especially in inner-city areas of the country, are in need of effective, outcome-based camp programs when school is not in session. Character and Resiliency Education (CARE) Now (CN) is a comprehensive in- and afterschool program designed to promote academic enrichment through positive youth development with a focus on enhancing character and resiliency. In the summer of 2013, CN was adapted to create a three-week long day camp at a high-needs elementary school in eastern Virginia. Using theoretically-based and outcome focused programming, CN was widely praised for its effectiveness among youth in this summer camp. To assess its impact, a mix-method approach was used, producing desirable results. Consequently, the supporting organization moved forward to fund CARE Now for a year-long program at the same school

The Impact of Stress Management on Nurse Productivity and Retention

Throughout the history of nursing there is a seeming legacy of personnel shortage, lack of funds, and, based on the nature of the role and related services, heightened levels of stress involved in patient care.The future of the profession and more imminently, patient care and the health of nurses, may be significantly impacted by repeated challenges where current levels of stress and burnout are contributing to organizational problems, burnout, and attrition.Employee stress and burn out commonly lead to myriad health-related problems that result in significant organizational consequences.There are many methods of stress management, and sometimes the best and most effective begin with simple recognition, validation, and visible and committed efforts by the nurse executive.Regardless of the technique or approach, what is clear is that there is a need for nurse executives to include the development and enhancement of comprehensive stress-management programming for employees as a priority item to avoid burnout and attrition

The Resiliency and Attitudes Skills Profile: An Assessment of Factor Structure

This study examines the Resiliency Attitudes and Skills Profile (RASP) in an afterschool recreation program with sixth grade students (N=137). The purpose of the study was to inspect the psychometric properties of the RASP and the internal consistency of the RASP global scale and subscales. This article expands on research reported on the RASP. Findings suggest that the RASP measures aspects of resiliency along four factors/dimensions. Suggestions for future research are provided

LGBTQ Training for School Counselors

This article reviews information related to school counseling and trainings aimed at increasing professional school counselors’ awareness, knowledge, and skill related to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) students. Educational concerns related to LGBTQ trainings affecting counselor training programs and counselor educators are discussed. Considerations for school counselor trainings are offered with regard to LGBTQ knowledge, awareness, and skill. Lastly, limitations regarding the extent of research on LGBTQ trainings for school counselor trainees are presented

A Delphi Study and Initial Validation of Counselor Supervision Competencies

The authors addressed the lack of supervision training standards for doctoral counseling graduates by developing and validating an initial list of supervision competencies. They used content analysis, Delphi polling, and content validity methods to generate a list, vetted by 2 different panels of supervision experts, of 33 competencies grouped into 5 categories