About This Cluster
Health and human services focuses on the most basic needs of our communities, including the health and well-being of individuals and families, assistance with social services as needed, help with preventing and solving problems and striving to provide the highest quality of life possible. Those interested in a health and human services career must keep in mind that this field is a very broad one, with numerous professions that fall under the human services umbrella.
Skills and Interests
- Helpful Traits
- Good Communication skills
- Good Social skills
- Empathy
- Good Listening Skills
- Organization and Common Sense
- Problem Solving Skills
- Assist Others to help Themselves
- Detailed Oriented
- Compassionate
- Patience
- Confident
- Self-Motivated
- Team-Oriented
- Flexibility
- Skills and Studies
- Example: School Social Worker
- A school social worker usually has a Master’s Degree in social work, as well as a state license to practice.
- Skills needed include:
- Analytical Skills
- Caring
- Communication skills
- Emotional Resilience
- Professional Demeanor
- Example: Social Worker
- Skills Needed include:
- Communication Skills
- Reading
- Writing
- Math
- Additional Language Skills and Cultural Studies
- Conflict Management
- Mediation
- Presentation Skills
- Coursework may vary depending on if specific area of interest and what level of education one intends on pursuing.
- Skills Needed include:
- Example: School Social Worker
Northern New York Community Foundation Scholarships
Since 1980, the Foundation has awarded more than $14.5 million dollars in scholarships to students of Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. The Northern New York Community Foundation annually awards scholarships to
- high school seniors for their freshman year in college or technical school (Full-time enrollment required – this is a one year award.)
- and non-traditional students for any year in college or technical school. (Part-time and full-time enrollment available) Applicants must reside in Jefferson, Lewis or St. Lawrence counties – applicants may re-apply each year.
- High school juniors who will be studying STEM related careers (available ONLY to high school juniors in St. Lawrence County – this is a one year award.)
Application packets are available in February each year, and can be downloaded at that time as a PDF (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader ). Application packets will also be available through high school guidance counselors or at the Community Foundation office. Completed packets must be returned to the Foundation by April 1, by mail or hand delivered. They may not be submitted by e-mail.
- A complete listing of all scholarships offered by the Foundation is available here. Applications can be found here.
- All applications must be returned to NNYCF, or postmarked by April 15,2018
- Applications are to be submitted to the NNYCF office as a packet. Please refer to the cover page of the application for "packet" requirements.
- NNYCF offer non-traditional scholarships to students in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties. However, non-traditional students are individuals who have had a break in their academic studies, or are forced to change careers and are returning to college to pursue and additional degree. High school seniors should NOT be completing a non-traditional application. The application deadline for non-traditional students is June 1, 2018
Education
Local High School Programs/Classes:
- During high school, the best way to learn about the Human Services field is by completing a variety of classes that range from: Health, English, Science, Psychology and Sociology. Job shadowing or Internships in the field are a great way to gain hands on experience!
- FDRHPO offers job shadow programs, opportunities to participate in MASH Camp, and facilitation with internships/field placements.
BOCES Programs:
Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida BOCES:
St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES:
Local College / University Majors:
- B.A. in Childhood/Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 6) (SUNY Potsdam)
- Childhood Education 1-6 Major – B.S. (SUNY Oswego)
- Early Childhood A.A.S. (Jefferson Community College)
- School Counseling (University at Buffalo)
- Counseling Services, and Certificate of Advanced Study–M.S. / C.A.S. (SUNY Oswego)
- Social Work (MSW) (SUNY Brockport / Nazareth College)
- Social Work (B.S.) (SUNY Plattsburgh)
- Social Work (Master’s Degree) (SUNY Binghamton)
- Funeral Services Administration (B.Tech). (SUNY Canton)
- Funeral Service (A.S.) (American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Services)
- Business Economics (B.A.) (SUNY Potsdam)
- Finance Major (B.S.) (SUNY Oswego)
Earnings
- Varies greatly in this field and from region to region. Minimum wage for some entry level with minimum education up to potential of six figures for high level administrators in this region.
Important Links
- New York State Office of Children and Family Services
- Social Services of Jefferson County
- New York State Division of Licensing for Cosmetology
- National Association of Realtors
- Certified Financial Advisor Certification
- National Association of Social Workers
- The New Social Worker (The Social Work Career Magazine)
- The Social Worker Career Center
- North Country Health Compass
- Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization
- Community Planning Action Council of Jefferson County
- Occupational Therapist Guide
