How do they match: Child, Family, and School Social Workers

  • Child Care Counselor
  • Foster Care Social Worker
  • Foster Care Worker
  • Youth Care Specialist

  • Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.

  • Counsel individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding issues including mental health, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, physical abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, child care, or medical care.
  • Evaluate personal characteristics and home conditions of foster home or adoption applicants.
  • Place children in foster or adoptive homes, institutions, or medical treatment centers.
  • Provide, find, or arrange for support services, such as child care, homemaker service, prenatal care, substance abuse treatment, job training, counseling, or parenting classes to prevent more serious problems from developing.
  • Recommend temporary foster care and advise foster or adoptive parents.
  • Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face problems, such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.

  • Evaluate potential problems in home or work environments of clients.