Title: Review laws and regulations governing the field of human services.
Course: Introduction to Family and Human Services (19001-18) > Section: Exploring the Human Services Career Pathways

Review should include

- laws and regulations pertaining to human services clients
  - Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  - Older Americans Act
  - Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
  - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  - child abuse and neglect laws
  - legislation pertaining to discrimination (race, age, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion)
  - Social Security fraud
  - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
  - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  - the rights and responsibilities of clients and their families
- laws and regulations pertaining to employment in the field
  - fair labor practices
  - equal opportunity
  - fair wage
  - workplace harassment (under the Civil Rights Act of 1964)
  - criminal background checks
  - periodic drug screening
  - driving record checks
  - federal, state, and local inspections
  - professional credentialing and licensing expectations.

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

- Why is it important to perform criminal background checks on personnel within the human services industry?
- What are the consequences of deceptive human services practices on the family? Community?

Communication

- What is the best way to express concerns about ethical practices used in community services programs?
- How can people working together help decrease harmful, deceptive, or fraudulent community services?

Leadership

- How might a person’s values interfere with making professional or ethical decisions in a service?
- Who are the mandated reporters in cases of neglect and abuse?

Management

- What are the licensing requirements for various jobs in family and human services?
- Who enforces compliance in the human services industry?