As the only text of its kind on the market, Principles of Human Services is an overview designed to help the human services workers of tomorrow explore the rewards and responsibilities of potential careers in a variety of human services. Coverage includes a comprehensive introduction to five human services pathways along with the rewards, demands, and trends associated with the various careers. The pathways include consumer services, personal care services, family and community services, counseling and mental health services, and early childhood education and services. Additionally, human services related careers in food and nutrition, clothing, and housing and interior design are included.

Table of Contents

Abbreviated Contents

Principles of Human Services 3e, Online Textbook

• Principles of Human Services
• Copyright © 2026 by The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc.
• About the Author
• Reviewers
• Guided Tour
• Tools for Student and Instructor Success
• • Student Tools
  • Instructor Tools
• Brief Contents
• Contents
• Feature Contents
• • Pathway to Success
  • Law and Ethics
  • Case Study
  • Career Spotlight
  • College and Career Portfolio
  • Community Connections
• Introduction
• Unit 1 Learning about Human Services
• • Career Spotlight Curriculum Director
• Chapter 1 An Introduction to Human Services
• • Chapter 1 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 1 Key Terms
  • Chapter 1 Introduction
  • 1.1 What Is Human Services?
  • 1.2 The History of Human Services
  • 1.3 Current Careers in Human Services
  • 1.4 Common Aptitudes, Attitudes, and Skills
  • 1.5 Education, Training, and Experience
  • 1.6 Common Challenges and Rewards
  • 1.7 Job Outlook for Human Services
• Chapter 2 The People Business
• • Chapter 2 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 2 Key Terms
  • Chapter 2 Introduction
  • 2.1 Human Development
  • 2.2 What Every Human Needs
  • 2.3 How People Meet Their Needs
  • 2.4 Economic and Employment Changes
• Chapter 3 Being an Effective Human Services Worker
• • Chapter 3 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 3 Key Terms
  • Chapter 3 Introduction
  • 3.1 Communication Skills
  • 3.2 Decision-Making Skills
  • 3.3 Problem-Solving Skills
  • 3.4 Setting and Implementing Goals
  • 3.5 Conflict Resolution Skills
  • 3.6 Collaboration and Leadership Skills
• Chapter 4 On the Road to Personal and Professional Success
• • Chapter 4 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 4 Key Terms
  • Chapter 4 Introduction
  • 4.1 Promote Good Personal Health Habits
  • 4.2 Demonstrate Characteristics of Maturity
  • 4.3 Keep Life in Balance
  • 4.4 Manage Time Effectively
  • 4.5 Manage Stress
  • 4.6 Maintain Healthy Relationships
• Unit 2 Preparing for Career Success
• • Career Spotlight Certified Hospital Child Life Specialist
• Chapter 5 Looking Inward: Identifying Your Personal Brand
• • Chapter 5 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 5 Key Terms
  • Chapter 5 Introduction
  • 5.1 Starting a Self-Assessment
  • 5.2 Getting to Know Yourself
  • 5.3 Understanding Your Motivations
  • 5.4 Identifying Your Assets and Skills
  • 5.5 Recognizing Personal Preferences
  • 5.6 Developing Your Brand
• Chapter 6 Looking Outward: Connecting with Human Services
• • Chapter 6 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 6 Key Terms
  • Chapter 6 Introduction
  • 6.1 Researching Human Services Careers
  • 6.2 Using the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
  • 6.3 Planning for Your Future
  • 6.4 Developing a Career Plan
• Chapter 7 Looking Ahead: Preparing for Workplace Success
• • Chapter 7 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 7 Key Terms
  • Chapter 7 Introduction
  • 7.1 Finding Job Openings
  • 7.2 Securing Employment
  • 7.3 Developing a Personal Portfolio
  • 7.4 Going on Job Interviews
  • 7.5 Starting a New Job
  • 7.6 Leaving a Job
• Unit 3 Investigating Career Pathways in Human Services
• • Career Spotlight Children’s Domestic Violence Advocate
• Chapter 8 Consumer Services
• • Chapter 8 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 8 Key Terms
  • Chapter 8 Introduction
  • 8.1 Careers in Consumer Services
  • 8.2 Common Aptitudes, Attitudes, and Skills
  • 8.3 Education, Training, and Experience
  • 8.4 Specialized Knowledge for Consumer Services Careers
  • 8.5 Managing Finances
  • 8.6 Saving and Investing
  • 8.7 Rewards, Demands, and Future Trends
• Chapter 9 Counseling and Mental Health Services
• • Chapter 9 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 9 Key Terms
  • Chapter 9 Introduction
  • 9.1 Careers in Counseling and Mental Health Services
  • 9.2 Common Aptitudes, Attitudes, and Skills
  • 9.3 Education, Training, and Experience
  • 9.4 Specialized Knowledge for Counseling and Mental Health Services Careers
  • 9.5 Recognizing Family-Life Crises
  • 9.6 Rewards, Demands, and Future Trends
• Chapter 10 Early Childhood Education and Services
• • Chapter 10 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 10 Key Terms
  • Chapter 10 Introduction
  • 10.1 Careers in Early Childhood Education and Services
  • 10.2 Common Aptitudes, Attitudes, and Skills
  • 10.3 Education, Training, and Experience
  • 10.4 Specialized Knowledge for Early Childhood Education and Services Careers
  • 10.5 Guiding Children’s Behavior
  • 10.6 Creating a Safe Environment
  • 10.7 Rewards, Demands, and Future Trends
• Chapter 11 Family and Community Services
• • Chapter 11 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 11 Key Terms
  • Chapter 11 Introduction
  • 11.1 Careers in Family and Community Services
  • 11.2 Common Aptitudes, Attitudes, and Skills
  • 11.3 Education, Training, and Experience
  • 11.4 Specialized Knowledge for Family and Community Services Careers
  • 11.5 Shaping Policies That Concern Families
  • 11.6 Rewards, Demands, and Future Trends
• Chapter 12 Personal Care Services
• • Chapter 12 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 12 Key Terms
  • Chapter 12 Introduction
  • 12.1 Careers in Personal Care Services
  • 12.2 Common Aptitudes, Attitudes, and Skills
  • 12.3 Education, Training, and Experience
  • 12.4 Demonstrating Good Customer Service
  • 12.5 Creating and Protecting Client Records
  • 12.6 Using Technology to Provide Good Personal Care Services
  • 12.7 Understanding Special Needs in Older Adult Care
  • 12.8 Rewards, Demands, and Future Trends
• Unit 4 Exploring Human Services Related Careers
• • Career Spotlight Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
• Chapter 13 Entrepreneurial Careers in Human Services
• • Chapter 13 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 13 Key Terms
  • Chapter 13 Introduction
  • 13.1 Careers in Entrepreneurial Human Services
  • 13.2 Common Aptitudes, Attitudes, and Skills
  • 13.3 Education, Training, and Experience
  • 13.4 Specialized Knowledge for Entrepreneurial Careers
  • 13.5 Creating a Business Plan
  • 13.6 Rewards, Demands, and Future Trends
• Chapter 14 Housing and Related Hospitality Human Services
• • Chapter 14 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 14 Key Terms
  • Chapter 14 Introduction
  • 14.1 Housing and Related Hospitality Career Opportunities
  • 14.2 Common Aptitudes, Attitudes, and Skills
  • 14.3 Education, Training, and Experience
  • 14.4 Specialized Knowledge for Housing Related Human Services
  • 14.5 Creating Pleasing and Functional Interior Spaces
  • 14.6 Rewards, Demands, and Future Trends
• Chapter 15 Food, Nutrition, and Related Hospitality Human Services
• • Chapter 15 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 15 Key Terms
  • Chapter 15 Introduction
  • 15.1 Food, Nutrition, and Related Hospitality Career Opportunities
  • 15.2 Common Aptitudes, Attitudes, and Skills
  • 15.3 Education, Training, and Experience
  • 15.4 Specialized Knowledge for Food and Nutrition Related Human Services
  • 15.5 Maintaining Physical Health
  • 15.6 Preparing Healthy Meals
  • 15.7 Rewards, Demands, and Future Trends
• Chapter 16 Clothing Related Human Services
• • Chapter 16 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 16 Key Terms
  • Chapter 16 Introduction
  • 16.1 Clothing Related Career Opportunities
  • 16.2 Common Aptitudes, Attitudes, and Skills
  • 16.3 Education, Training, and Experience
  • 16.4 Specialized Knowledge for Clothing Related Human Services
  • 16.5 Caring for Clothing
  • 16.6 Using Apparel Construction Tools and Equipment
  • 16.7 Rewards, Demands, and Future Trends
• Glossary
• • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • R
  • T
  • U
  • V
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• Index
• • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
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  • W
  • Y
  • Z