UMass Boston

Course Overview

Description

This course address current practice and policy for human service workers assuming multiple and conflicting roles posed by case management with consumers in human services. Case management functions include client screening, risk assessment; service planning, implementation, monitoring and reassessment of the service plan. Case managers seek to support client self-determination but are also charged with controlling costs and rationing services posing ethical dilemmas for workers. We will examine best practice guidelines for case management and apply theory to practice in the field. We will examine case management from the perspective of the consumer, practitioner, other providers and the service system. A major focus of this class is critical examination of case management practice in a variety of settings. This highly interactive class will involve a combination of lecture, class discussion of anonymous case vignettes drawn from the field, and field interviewing.