The Specialization in Children & Youth Services is available to students currently enrolled in the MSW program. Social work practice with children and youth is among the largest of the professional fields of social work. Children are an especially vulnerable population, and their well-being and protection are among the highest social priorities. Social workers are the main profession responsible for providing services in child welfare and mental health systems, and have major responsibilities for the care and well-being of children in schools, medical settings, family shelters, and other family service settings.<br><br>It is therefore incumbent upon institutions of higher education to provide specialized training in working with children and youth. Pressing contemporary problems of maltreatment and exploitation, bullying, trauma, and the life-long obstacles presented by poverty are some of the particular vulnerabilities children and youth face growing up in a rapidly changing and highly complex world.<br><br>The Specialization with Children and Youth provides students with the skills and knowledge to effectively respond to the needs of vulnerable children in direct practice, advocacy, and policy-making roles.