Common Course Outline

Course discipline/number/title HS 1783: At-Risk Children, Youth, and Their Families

Catalog Description

Credits 3
Hours/Week 3
Prerequisites (Course discipline/number) None
Other requirements None
MnTC Goals (if any) NA

Course Description

This course explores biological, psychological, social, ecological, and cultural issues impacting children, youth, and their families at risk. This course also explores human development and counseling theories as it relates to resiliency, peer influence, poverty, mental illness, substance use, disabilities, academic success, and transition to adulthood. College level reading and writing is recommended for this class.

Date Last Revised (Month, year)

November, 2025

Outline of Major Content Areas

  1. Definitions of at-risk and transitional youth/children
  2. Child and adolescent human development
  3. Substance use, co-occurring disorders, and mental health
  4. Legal and ethical issues
  5. Prevention strategies
  6. Intervention techniques and skills
  7. Treatment and therapy options
  8. Transition, life, and treatment plans
  9. Screening and assessment

Learning Outcomes (General)

The student will be able to:

  1. Define at-risk and transitional youth and children.
  2. Examine ecological, cultural, and system factors influencing transitional, at-risk children, youth, and their families.
  3. Identify biological, cognitive, and emotional child and adolescent human development theories or concepts.
  4. Identify symptoms of common substance use and mental health disorders.
  5. Evaluate substance use, co-occurring, mental health, and wellness issues applicable to children, at-risk, transitional youth, and their families.
  6. Demonstrate counseling theory, intervention, and prevention skills.
  7. Create treatment, transition, and life plans.
  8. Explore common substance use, mental health, and wellness screening/assessment tools.
  9. Examine legal and ethical issues affecting at-risk populations.

Learning Outcomes (MnTC)

NA

Methods for Evaluation of Student Learning

Methods may include but are not limited to:

RCTC Core Outcome(s)

This course contributes to meeting the following RCTC Core Outcome(s):

Communication
Students will communicate appropriately for their respective audiences.

Special Information (if any)

None