This course is geared to anyone who works with African American individuals and families as part of their practice. It covers culturally specific information, community norms and considerations, and communication does and don’ts, to assist practitioners in establishing effective helping relationships with African American client/consumers of services. This workshop is designed as an introductory step for human service practitioners unfamiliar with the African American community but also for members of the community who may not have explored their own culture.
The objectives for this course are as follows:
- To provide information on the African American concept of family;
- To examine communication issues and ways to build relationships between practitioners and African American families;
- To better understand the historical/cultural usage of informal and formal systems in the African American community;
- To begin the process to reverse the negative statistics of aging in the African American community.
- California University of Pennsylvania, Center for Social Work Education MSW Program is a pre-approved provider of professional continuing education for social workers, marriage and family therapists and professional counselors by the PA State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors. This course is approved for 2 CEUs.
Your Instructor
Dr. Thomas received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Penn State University. She then went on to obtain her master’s degree in social work from Temple University’s School of Social Administration and her doctorate degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Thomas began as the MSW Program Director at California University of Pennsylvania in the fall of 2007 and retired in January 2017. She was promoted to full professor in 2014. From 1994-2004 she worked for the Widener University Center for Social Work Education where she achieved tenure as an Associate Professor, also holding positions as Assistant Director and Baccalaureate Program Director. She worked from 1975-1984 for the Delaware County Office on Services for the Aging and from 1984-1992 for the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. In addition, she was the co-founder and President of the Center on Ethnic & Minority Aging, Inc., Philadelphia, PA from 1995-2008.She is currently an online instructor for the Center For Social Work Education, Widener University. She is the recipient of many community service awards including: 2016 Dr. Caryl Sheffield Award for Excellence, California University of Pa. , 2015 Spirit of CARIE Award-Philadelphia, Pa., 2010 Woman of Distinction Award, Southwest Women’s Ministry of the Pa. Baptist State Convention; 2008 Hobart C. Jackson Award for service to ethnic & minority elders in the Philadelphia region; 2007 Second Place Outstanding President Award at the North Atlantic Regional Conference of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.; The 2006 Senior Service Excellence Award presented by the Crozer Keystone Health System, Chester, Pa.; 2005 Social Worker of the Year Award, National Association of Social Workers, Philadelphia, Pa.; 2004 Second Place Good Citizen Award, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., North Atlantic Regional Conference; 2004 Philip E. Coleman Award for Distinguished Service to Project Prepare, Widener University; 2004 Temple University General Alumni Association Certificate of Honor; 2004 Institute of Geriatric Social Work-Boston University, First Career Achievement Award; 2004 National Association of Black Social Workers Widener University Chapter Founder’s Award; 2003 Chester Assembly No. 30 Order of the Golden Circle Community Service Award; 2002 YWCA Chester, Pa. Community Hero Award; 2000 Who's Who Among America's Teachers recognition; 2000 Pennsylvania Brandywine Division National Association of Social Workers Social Worker of the Year Award and 2000 Outstanding Scholar Award, Widener University School of Human Service Professions. In 2007, Dr. Thomas was designated as an honorary “Life-Time Advisor” to Senior Community Services, Delaware County, Pa. in recognition of her years of service to that organization. She currently serves as Treasurer of the Board for the East End United Community Center, Uniontown, Pa., serves on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging and the Board of Aging Well, Harrisburg, Pa., Vice President of the Board for the Thomas Family Cemetery, Hopwood, Pa., member of the Thomas Family Reunion Committee, a member of the Gamma Chi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Morgantown, West Virginia, the National Association of Social Workers and the National Association of Black Social Workers. She is a licensed clinical social worker in Pennsylvania (LCSW) and is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW).
Frequently Asked Questions
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