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Human Services

Welcome

In 1971, the Nebraska Department of Public Institutions approached Southeast Community College to develop a training program of mental health technicians for the state regional centers. The first class of the four-quarter Mental Health Technology program began their study in March 1972 with six to eight students and one full time staff person.

The program quickly evolved into a two year, Associate of Applied Science Degree in Human Services, following a national trend initiated by the programs’ accrediting body called the Council for Standards in Human Services Education. The Human Services program is one of five selected by the Council to provide technical assistance to other programs in the United States.

Why has this program been successful?

Human Services Workers constitute the largest group of professionals in the Human Services field. They perform a variety of therapeutic, supportive, and preventative functions for people with emotional, developmental, social, or physical problems within organized Human Services delivery systems.

Flexibility to accommodate students’ needs

The Human Services program offers the opportunity for a student to complete their degree with day and/or evening classes. Some courses are offered on the weekend or on-line, making it convenient for working students to achieve their educational goals.

Mission

The mission of the Human Services Program is to prepare students for direct service in Human Services agencies and institutions including the areas of mental health, developmental disabilities, alcoholic and drug abuse, at risk youth, gerontology, nursing home administration and/or assisted living administration.

Overview

The field of Human Services is a broad one with the objective of meeting human need through an interdisciplinary knowledge base, focusing on prevention as well as remediation of problems and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall quality of life for all people. The Human Services profession is one which promotes improved service delivery systems by addressing not only the quality of direct services, but by also seeking to improve accessibility, accountability, and coordination among professionals and agencies in service delivery. Ultimately, the goal is to help people solve their own problems.

The Human Services program requires a minimum of eight quarters to complete the program Associate of Applied Science Degree in Human Services. The Human Services Program at Southeast Community College is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and Council for Standards in Human Service Education.

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Overview of the Alchol and Drug Abuse Counseling (A&D) Focus

The Human Services program offers all the approved coursework required by the Nebraska Health and Human Services System (HHS) to meet the criteria established by the state law to become a provisional Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. A number of options are available:

A. Complete the AAS Degree in Human Services including all required courses and clinical education work.

B.Take one or more of specific courses and combine with approved workshops and courses from other colleges.

C. Individuals who already have obtained baccalaureate or masters degrees in related field (counseling, social work, etc.) may apply for advanced standing in the program and finish an AAS Degree.

All individuals wishing to be Alcohol and Drug Counselors should consult the HHS website for licensure information at http://www.hhs.state.ne.us and go to the Credentialing Division for details.

For specific information on the Alchol and Drug Abuse Counseling focus, please contact:
Rebecca Shacklett, RN, M.Ed., M.F.S., Instructor, A&D Advisor
800-642-4075 ext. 2745
402-437-2745
rshacklett@southeast.edu

Overview of the Assisted Living Administrator (AL) Focus

This specific track allows an individual to operate an assisted living facility. Effective January 1, 2005, an Assisted-Living Facility Administrator must have successfully completed training consisting of a total of at least 30 hours in the following areas:

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Overview of the Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) Focus

Nursing Home Administration (NHA) Focus:

This is a very specific track that allows an individual to complete a degree and/or course requirements to become a licensed Nursing Home Administrator for the State of Nebraska. To receive the NHA licensure by the State of Nebraska the Human Services Program offers five on-line computer classes that meet the core educational requirements for Nursing Home Administration Licensure.

What is a Nursing Home Administrator (NHA)?

A Nursing Home Administrator is a licensed individual who is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling the operation of a nursing home, a home for the aged or infirm, or an integrated system or who in fact performs such functions, whether or not such functions are shared by one or more other persons.

How do you become a Nursing Home Administrator?

(A) Obtain an associate degree.
(B) Complete core educational requirements.
(C) Enter either the 640 hour Administrator in Training (AIT) or Mentoring program.
(D) Successfully pass the National Association of Boards of Examiners for Nursing Home Administration (NAB) National Exam.

Application Requirements & Instructions Chart for NHA

Licensure Requirements – Nursing Home Administrator: To assist a student in determining if he/she qualifies for licensure, find the degree or diploma currently held in the chart below. This, along with the corresponding experience, will determine whether a student is required to have the specified coursework and whether he/she is required to complete an administrator-in-training or mentoring program, or no additional training.

The information in this chart is provided by: The Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure Credentialing Division and Southeast Community College

***Five Core Educational Requirements:

HMRS 2541 Social Services for LTC
HMRS 2542 Financial Management for LTC
HMRS 2544 Patient Care and Services
HMRS 2547 Administration for LTC
HMRS 2549 Rules, Regulations and Standards relating to the Operation of a Health Care Facility.

What are my NHA training options?

Administrator-in-training (AlT): a person in the learner role who is actively involved in a program of supervised professional training and is directly supervised by a Nebraska certified preceptor* aimed at developing and refining confidence, and proficiency in the field of Nursing Home Administration.

Administrator-in-Training program: completion of at least 640 hours of training and experience, which shall be completed in not less than four calendar months, and shall be at least 20 hours per week. The training and experience shall occur in a Nebraska licensed home for the aged or infirm or nursing home, under the direct supervision of a Nebraska certified preceptor*.

Mentoring Program Trainee: a person in a learner role who is actively involved in a program of supervised professional training and is supervised by a Nebraska certified preceptor* aimed at developing and refining confidence and proficiency in the field of Nursing Home Administration.

Mentoring program: completion of at least 640 hours of training and experience, which shall be completed in not less than four (4) calendar months, and shall be at least 20 hours per week. The program shall occur in a Nebraska licensed home for the aged or infirm or nursing home, under the supervision of a Nebraska certified preceptor.* The certified preceptor in a mentoring program need not be at such facility during the period of such supervision but shall be available to assist with questions or problems as needed. A mentoring program may be gained as an internship, which is part of a degree or advanced degree or part of a degree or advanced degree in health care. A person in a mentoring
program may apply for a provisional license.

*Certified Preceptor: a person who is currently licensed by the State of Nebraska as a Nursing Home Administrator, has three years of experience as a Nursing Home Administrator, has practiced within the last two years in a nursing home or a home for the aged or infirm, and is approved by the board to supervise an administrator-in-training or a person in a mentoring program.

The AIT and/or mentoring program is a verbal agreement between the trainee, the preceptor, and Health and Human Services - Regulatory department.

It is recommended that a student seeking the NHA degree, take the Introduction to Assisted Living course.

Advanced standing is available for those individuals who already have an associate’s degree or beyond. (See the NHA & AL advisor).
 

For specific information on the Nursing Home Administrator focus, please contact:

Theresa Parker, BA, AAS, NHA, CSW, AD, Instructor, Nursing Home Administration and Assisted Living Administrator Advisor
800-642-4075 Ext. 2750
402-437-2750
tparker@southeast.edu

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Clinical Education

Pre-Clinical Education I Procedures (HMRS 1109)

This one-quarter course serves as a pre-service training and screening before students are placed in a clinical site to work with clients. During this time, students will participate in, and be graded on, a number of activities and simulations. The class is graded on a pass/fail basis.

Clinical Education

Clinical courses in the Human Services Program of Southeast Community College are constructed to allow the student to gain experience, skills, and attitudes appropriate for working in human service agencies. Students apply for clinical and placement depends on continuing good standing within the program. Clinical Education courses are “with permission” courses; the site a student is assigned to is also only “with permission.”