Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 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. EBPhoto/Shutterstock.com 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