 A Qualitative Examination of the Preparedness of African American Pastors to Address Issues of Addictions

This study qualitatively explored the preparedness of African American pastors to meet the needs of parishioners with addictions. Findings indicated that African American pastors do not always perceive themselves to be prepared to address issues of addiction, and existing cultural barriers challenge collaboration between human services practitioners and African American pastors. Findings also revealed that despite existing cultural barriers, African American pastors are willing to collaborate with professionals who offer educational opportunities in culturally relevant ways. Human services professionals’ ability to understand cultural nuances of African American pastors is of paramount concern to effectively enhance the quality of life for clients utilizing faith-based interventions to meet the needs of individuals with addiction. Recommendations for strategies for human service professionals to build collaborations with pastors of African American churches are provided.

 Reflecting on Professional Identity Through Art: A Case Example

Undergraduate human services programs seek ways to support students as they develop their professional identities. Few, if any studies, have considered the benefits of engaging human services students in art directives as a method for them to reflect on their professional identities. The following is a case example on how an art directive was incorporated in an undergraduate fieldwork course at an urban community college.

 The Role of Human Services Providers in Addressing Social Determinants of Health

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are circumstances in which people grow, live, work, and play. Unmet SDOH needs can adversely affect mental and physical health; however, to date, there are no comprehensive publications that highlight human services providers’ (HSPs’) role in addressing SDOH. This article defines SDOH, delineates HSPs’ role in addressing SDOH, and provides conceptual frameworks that can be used by HSPs to promote SDOH in practice. Special consideration is given for a collective approach that incorporates multiple frameworks to promote holistic practice and health equity. The article concludes with implications for HSPs, administrators, and educators.

 Intentionality in Human Services

This article describes the concept of intentionality and how it relates to human services education and training. The focus is on how the incorporation of intentionality into human services training curriculum can enhance the knowledge, skill, and competence of trainees. Several examples are given to show how human service educators can integrate activities within a basic helping skills course.

 Ethics Education in Human Services: Curriculum Approach, Faculty Characteristics, and Evaluation of Students

This article discusses three aspects of the context of ethics education, which are external to course content but affect the development of the ethical student and, later, the ethical professional. This article presents the available perspectives for the following: one course versus whole curriculum delivery of ethics education, the influence of faculty and supervisors, and the assessment of student ethical thinking and behavior. Professional literature is used to support consideration of each perspective in the ethics education of human services students.

 Unique Histories and Unified Futures: Future Trends for Human Service Graduates Entering Psychotherapy Fields

Undergraduate Human Services (HMSV) students are often interested in graduate education and might consider a career as a psychotherapist. The psychotherapy disciplines are primarily composed of psychology, social work, counseling, and addiction counseling, each of which have a unique history regarding their development and approach to clinical work. HMSV graduates aspiring to psychotherapy training need an understanding of the trends influencing the fields of psychotherapy across disciplines. This article presents an overview of trends and factors to prepare the next generation of psychotherapists to work as a unified collective to address societal and individual challenges.

 Best Practices for Facilitating a Successful Human Services Undergraduate Research Lab at a Practitioner-focused University

Researchers suggest that engaging in undergraduate level research greatly benefits students in various disciplines and increases their career opportunities. However, there is a severe gap in the literature regarding the needs of students in Human Services undergraduate research (UR) labs at practitioner-focused institutions. This phenomenological study examined the salient experiences of seven former research assistants in such a setting. Four emergent themes were uncovered: need insecurities, positive faculty-student connection, creating opportunity, and productive team environment. Considerations for Human Services educators and students are discussed.

 Response of Undergraduate Human Services Programs to the Mass Incarceration Crisis

Mass incarceration has resulted in the United States having the world’s largest incarcerated population and the highest rate of incarceration. Consequently, nearly 1 in 4 Americans has a criminal record. Racial and ethnic minorities have much higher rates of incarceration than Whites. The collateral consequences of a criminal conviction are colossal and continue well beyond incarceration. Human services students must be well prepared to competently serve clients and families affected by this crisis. This exploratory, qualitative study aimed to determine if undergraduate programs accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education offer course content related to the mass incarceration crisis. Results from a content analysis of course titles and descriptions of 17 accredited programs suggest students are not being adequately prepared to competently serve this population. Implications for human services education, practice, and research are discussed.

 Using a Science Literary Lens to Conceptualize Anxiety Around COVID-19: Strategies for Human Services Professionals

Amid the COVID-19 global pandemic, Human Services Professionals (HSPs) are faced with clients experiencing increased anxiety. HSPs again must broaden their scope of competency to approach this novel, natural phenomenon. Science literacy is the understanding and application of scientific knowledge toward decisions and sensemaking. Although science literacy has many facets, one area, Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs), prioritizes individuals’ funds of knowledge to engage with new phenomena such as COVID-19. This paper describes the role of HSPs responding to COVID-19; provides a conceptual framework through the Ecological Systems Theory, which centers on clients and science literacy; and proposes an integration of science concepts with HSPs’ work. Finally, this paper ends with a vignette collection offering CCCs and resource pathways HSPs can utilize with their clients.