Social Work in Public Health and Community Wellness Programs Course

Course Introduction

Social work in public health plays a vital role in improving population health outcomes by addressing the social determinants of health such as poverty, education, housing, and access to healthcare services. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of how social workers contribute to public health systems and community wellness initiatives.

The program explores the intersection between social work practice and public health frameworks, emphasizing prevention, health promotion, and community-based interventions. Participants will learn how to design and implement programs that improve health equity and reduce disparities among vulnerable populations.

Participants will develop skills in community assessment, health education, disease prevention, and psychosocial support within public health systems. The course highlights the importance of integrating social work values into health promotion strategies to ensure inclusive and people-centered services.

Special attention is given to emerging public health challenges such as pandemics, non-communicable diseases, mental health crises, substance abuse, and environmental health risks. Participants will learn adaptive strategies to respond effectively to these complex and evolving health issues.

The course also emphasizes collaboration between social workers, healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations. Participants will gain skills in building partnerships and strengthening referral systems to improve continuity of care and community wellness outcomes.

By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with advanced competencies to contribute effectively to public health systems and design impactful community wellness programs that promote healthier, more resilient populations.

Duration

5 days

Who Should Attend

• Social workers in health and community settings
• Public health officers and practitioners
• NGO health program managers
• Community health workers and coordinators
• Hospital and clinic social service staff
• Mental health and psychosocial support practitioners
• Government health and welfare officers
• Epidemiology and disease prevention officers
• Development and humanitarian workers
• Policy makers in health and social welfare sectors

Objectives

• Strengthen participants’ understanding of the relationship between social determinants of health and public health outcomes in diverse communities.
• Equip participants with skills to design and implement community-based public health and wellness programs.
• Develop competencies in health promotion, disease prevention, and community education strategies.
• Enhance ability to identify and address health disparities affecting vulnerable and marginalized populations.
• Strengthen skills in conducting community health assessments and needs analysis for effective program planning.
• Build capacity to integrate social work principles into public health systems and service delivery.
• Improve understanding of mental health, substance abuse, and psychosocial interventions in community health contexts.
• Strengthen collaboration skills for working with multidisciplinary health and social service teams.
• Enhance ability to respond to emerging public health emergencies and crisis situations effectively.
• Foster innovation in designing sustainable, inclusive, and culturally appropriate community wellness programs.

Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of Social Work in Public Health

• Understanding the role of social work in public health systems and services
• Exploring the connection between social determinants and health outcomes
• Examining global and local public health frameworks and policies
• Defining ethical roles of social workers in health promotion

Module 2: Community Health Assessment and Planning

• Conducting community health needs assessments and data collection
• Identifying priority health issues in diverse populations
• Developing evidence-based public health intervention plans
• Engaging communities in participatory health planning processes

Module 3: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

• Designing effective health education and awareness campaigns
• Promoting preventive healthcare practices in communities
• Addressing communicable and non-communicable diseases
• Strengthening behavioral change communication strategies

Module 4: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

• Understanding mental health challenges in community settings
• Providing psychosocial support and counseling interventions
• Addressing stigma and barriers to mental health care access
• Integrating mental health services into primary healthcare systems

Module 5: Substance Abuse and Risk Behavior Interventions

• Identifying substance abuse trends in communities
• Designing prevention and rehabilitation support programs
• Supporting families affected by addiction and risky behaviors
• Strengthening community-based recovery and reintegration systems

Module 6: Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health

• Promoting maternal and child health interventions in communities
• Addressing adolescent reproductive and sexual health needs
• Supporting nutrition and early childhood development programs
• Reducing infant and maternal mortality through social interventions

Module 7: Environmental and Occupational Health

• Understanding environmental health risks in communities
• Addressing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) challenges
• Promoting safe workplaces and occupational health practices
• Linking environmental factors to public health outcomes

Module 8: Public Health Emergencies and Disaster Response

• Managing public health responses during epidemics and pandemics
• Supporting community resilience in disaster-prone areas
• Coordinating emergency health and social services
• Strengthening crisis communication and response systems

Module 9: Health Systems and Intersectoral Collaboration

• Understanding public health systems and service delivery structures
• Strengthening collaboration between health and social service sectors
• Building referral systems for integrated care delivery
• Enhancing multi-agency coordination for community wellness

Module 10: Innovation and Future Trends in Public Health Social Work

• Integrating digital health technologies into social work practice
• Exploring telehealth and remote community service delivery models
• Addressing global health challenges and emerging diseases
• Promoting sustainable and innovative public health interventions

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808

Training Venue 

The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group (at a discount of 10% to 50%) at requested location all over the world. The Onsite course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, buffet lunch, airport transfers, Upskill gift package, and guided tour.

Visa application, travel expenses, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808

Terms of Payment:

Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better.