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14 Unit 1 Learning About Human Services
Amelia learned about four-year-old Michael
several months ago. When neighbors reported
concerns about his safety, the state’s child
protective services became involved. He had not
been physically abused. It appeared, however,
that Michael was often left without proper
supervision.
Neglect is hard to prove. It took several
months to build a case for removing Michael
from his home and placing him in foster care.
Amelia was sure that Michael’s mother had
a desire to care for him. Her lack of family
support and struggle with substance abuse,
however, make it difficult for her to care for
Michael. Amelia and her colleagues at the
foster care agency provide emotional support
for Michael’s mother. They hope that she will
get her life under control so she can properly
care for her son.
A neighbor found Michael alone, hungry,
and dirty this afternoon. When his mother could
not be found, the local police stepped in. Later
that evening, a social worker called Amelia
to take Michael. As the human services case
manager, Amelia had to quickly find a place for
Michael to live.
Amelia knew Michael would be well
taken care of in this emergency foster home.
For now, Amelia would rest easy. Tomorrow
would hold a new day for Michael, his mother,
and his foster parents. It could be filled with
fear, grief and loss, and dismay. She hoped
it would also hold a sense of warmth and
stability  for Michael.
Amelia has a career in human services.
People are drawn to human services careers for
different reasons. Like most Americans living
with basic needs met, watching news reports
of children in need profoundly affected Amelia.
During Amelia’s high school years, her town
was affected by a severe rainstorm that caused
flash floods and evacuations. During that event,
Amelia’s passion grew for helping people,
especially displaced children.
Sometimes it takes a big event like Amelia’s
to jolt a person into meaningful life choices.
Sometimes it is a gradual realization that helping
others is what gives meaning to life. For Amelia,
helping others means helping foster children find
safe, temporary homes.
Personally, Amelia had no experience with
foster care. She grew up in a privileged urban
home. During her teen years, she lived with
her mother after her parents divorced. Even so,
she maintained a strong relationship with both
of her parents. Education was highly esteemed
in Amelia’s family. She had many strong role
models. She was considered a high achiever
throughout high school and college, both in
academics and in extracurricular leadership
activities. Human services proved to be the
career track that allowed Amelia to combine her
drive for excellence and her leadership skills with
her passion to make a difference in the world.
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Making a Difference
For Discussion
1. What are three specific ways that Amelia
helped make Michael’s life better?
2. List two ways that Amelia could help
Michael’s mother better parent him.
3. What appeals to Amelia about her career
in human services?
4. Do you share any common interests or
traits with Amelia? If so, which one(s)?
Case Study