Title: Identify professional organizations and their roles in human services professions.
Course: Introduction to Family and Human Services (19001-36) > Section: Exploring the Human Services Career Pathways

Identification should include organizations such as the following:

- Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program (CDA)
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- Gerontological Society of America (GSA)
- National Council on Aging (NCOA)
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- National Organization for Human Services (NOHS)
- National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A)
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- National Council on Family Relations (NCFR)

Identification should also include the following organizational roles:

- Professional growth
- Certification
- Lobbying
- Networking
- Resources
- Recognition
- Advocacy

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

- What are the roles of professional organizations?
- Why is maintaining membership important?
- Why is it important to attend conferences and professional development opportunities provided by a relevant professional organization?

Communication

- What are examples of how professional organizations provide opportunities for networking?
- What resources are provided by professional organizations?
- What are professional organization bylaws, and what do they ensure?

Leadership

- Why should human services professionals consistently and persistently advocate for their clients?
- What opportunities for leadership are available in professional organizations?
- Why do professional organizations maintain organizational structure and leadership hierarchies?

Management

- What are the fees associated with professional organization membership?
- What is included in membership? Why are ethical codes of conduct enforced in professional organizations?
- How do professional organizations affect social policy and laws?