Social & Human Service Assistants

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With a blend of compassion, determination, and strong organizational skills, social and human service assistants help a wide variety of people get the services they need. Social and human service assistants help clients obtain benefits and services in their community, and follow up to ensure services are in place. For example, they may connect families to food assistance or childcare, help immigrants enroll in language classes and job training, or help people leaving prison find jobs and housing. People in this field work under a variety of job titles, including case work aide, social work assistant or aide, counselor assistant, and human services worker. Typically with the supervision of a social worker or counselor, social and human service assistants serve many different clients such as veterans, the homeless, children and families, the elderly, and clients rehabilitating from addiction or injuries. They work in many types of organizations that provide social assistance programs, including: non-profits, social service agencies, government offices, hospitals, and shelters. Some may visit clients in the community. Most social and human service assistants work full time. They generally need at least a high school education, and may be required to have a certificate or associate’s degree in a human services field. More education usually qualifies a candidate for higher-level work.