What is Human Services?
If you’ve ever wanted to work at a nonprofit or get involved with volunteer work in your community, then you’ve already thought about the field of Human Services. According to the The National Organization of Human Services, this field is defined by people who work to create resources that meet the human needs of their communities.
This can mean many things, which makes Human Services a wide field. Often people in Human Services work on providing social programs. They typically connect people in need to those programs and coordinate, maintain and improve programs to better meet community needs.
People in the Human Services field can work with many different populations. These include children and families, the disabled, those in need of healthcare, the elderly, at risk-teens and more.
Does that sound like something you would like to do? Then read on to understand the details of this exciting and rewarding field.
The Ups and Downs of Human Services
Because of the broad field, Human Services workers tend to have different schedules and working environments. They often work 40-hour workweeks with some nights and weekends. They may travel to see how their programs and services interact with the community. They may also work directly with people to link them with these important services.
Generally speaking, the field of Human Services is about connecting with and helping people, so it is often a rewarding field. Many Human Services workers feel that their work is important and meaningful. If you have the motivation to give back and provide for your community, then this may be a worthwhile field for you.
On the other side of things, Human Services can be overwhelming at times. There are often clerical responsibilities like paperwork attached to these services, which can be time-consuming. Issues with services may arise and create work during the weekend or evening. And, as with most people-focused fields, working with people can lead to unique difficulties and hurdles.
Nevertheless, Human Services workers tend to show a high level of satisfaction at work. A 2013 Gallup poll reported that 85% of nonprofit workers surveyed were extremely satisfied, highly satisfied or satisfied with their work. Of those surveyed, 66% reported being satisfied because they believed in their organization’s mission or purpose.
Populations Served by Human Services Workers
Have you ever volunteered at a homeless shelter or donated food to a food bank? What about mentoring a child through a Big Brothers Big Sisters program? If you’ve done any of these things, then you’ve worked with a population served by Human Services.
There are many different populations in need of support services. These include the elderly, people from low-income communities, veterans, people with disabilities or mental illness, children from food-insecure households, at-risk youth, people with addictions and many more. That’s why the field of Human Services is so large—because there are many underserved communities.
Organizations and nonprofits usually focus on specific populations, though they may sometimes serve multiple populations at once through different targeted programs. Underserved social identities can also intersect. For example, a person who is homeless may also be suffering from mental illness or addiction, or an elderly person may also have a disability. Therefore, services can uplift several populations at once.
Human Services programs can include:
- Temporary or permanent housing – To help uplift homeless populations by offering affordable places to stay.
- Free or reduced food – To help combat hunger and food insecurity for low-income communities.
- Educational resources – To help uplift communities who experience a lack of access to education.
- Job search assistance – For those who struggle to find employment due to many different reasons, including lack of access and criminal history.
- Mentorship – For adolescents and at-risk teens to help develop positive relationships and role models.
- Mobility assistance – For people with disabilities who require accommodations to move freely in the world.
- Healthcare and rehabilitation – For those who need affordable physical or mental healthcare or who require rehabilitation as a result of drug dependency.
- Self-help resources – For people who are interested in bettering their lives but need connections to specific resources to do so.
Common Jobs for Human Services Workers
People in the Human Services field can work in many different jobs depending on their level of education. Some roles require a high school diploma, while others require an associate degree, bachelor’s degree or higher.
For example, those looking to be counselors or provide psychological or healthcare services will likely need the appropriate licensing and education level. Social workers usually require a bachelor’s degree, while community coordinators, program specialists and human services assistants require an associate degree or less.
Here are some common jobs within the Human Services field at the associate degree and under level:
- Community Coordinators. These Human Services employees help organize events and other resources. They also make sure the community is aware of those services, and ensure that the events or services are accessible.
- Family Support Workers, who assist families in need by connecting them with and educating them on services. This usually includes direct contact with clients in need of services.
- Human Services Program Specialists, who assist leaders and work on administrative and organizational tasks. They might also work with clients to help connect them to right services.
- Social Services Assistants, who assist other health and human services professionals, like social workers. They help make sure that clients receive the services they need and don’t experience any barriers to accessibility.
Human Services workers can find positions in many different environments. Some common ones include:
- Individual and family services
- State and local government
- Nursing and residential care facilities
- Community rehabilitation centers
If you are considering the field of Human Services, it’s important to understand what you would like to do. You may feel drawn toward certain environments and populations—like the elderly in nursing home facilities, for example.
So far you have learned about what human services is and what human services workers do, but you might also want to know what kinds of organizations currently exist. According to The Nonprofit Sector in Brief 2015: Public Charities, Giving, and Volunteering, there are about 1.41 million nonprofits in the United States. So there are plenty of options out there for human services workers.
While every organization has different needs and candidate requirements, here are some general and well-known human services organizations.
- Meals on Wheels – This organization is dedicated to providing food and resources to the elderly in communities all across the country.
- Wounded Warrior Project – This organization works to empower wounded veterans with necessary and no-cost services and programs.
- The YMCA – This organization provides community resources and space to people of all ages, races and backgrounds.
- Doctors Without Borders – This organization provides vital and life-saving care to communities in need across the world.
- American Civil Liberties Union – The ACLU works to defend and preserve civil liberties in the United States according to the U.S. constitution and the law.
- Feeding America – Feeding America is a network of food banks that works to relieve hunger nationwide.
- The American Cancer Society – This organization raises funding for cancer research, services, prevention and support.
- Direct Relief – This organization does what its name implies and works to provide direct relief for people in poverty or emergency situations.
- The Conservation Fund – This organization is dedicated to helping conserve vital natural resources in the United States.
These are just a few of the organization that exist to offer services and programs to support public wellbeing and underserved communities. Not all opportunities are within nonprofit organizations either. Other organizations involved in Human Services include for-profit social service agencies and state and local governments.
It depends on where you would like to work, what you would like to do and who you want to work with.
Getting into the Human Services Field
The needs for becoming qualified for entry level jobs in this field can vary depending on what you want to do. Typically, workers in Human Services have at least a high school diploma. It’s common for entry-level workers to also have an associate degree in Human Services, and some employers look for candidates with practical experience in this field, as well.
Human Services degree programs prepare students for working in this field through teaching a variety of subjects, which can include:
- Public and Community Health
- Family Dynamics
- Social Welfare
- Legal and Ethical Issues in Human Services
- Human Behavior in the Social Environment
Your level of education and experience may determine what kinds of jobs you are hired to do within the Health Services field. New employees in the Human Services field typically receive on-the-job training, as well, to help them prepare for their new duties.
The skillsets required can also vary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following skillsets are valuable to social and human service assistants:
- Communication skills. Workers in this field often spend a lot of time talking to clients about their needs and issues. You may interview clients to help connect them to services offered by your organization, or you may talk with your organization to let them know about the needs of its clients.
- Compassion. Human Services workers help people throughout stressful situations and difficult times. It’s important to be able to find empathy and compassion for each client you work with in this field. Relationships are also an important aspect of Human Services, and compassion is beneficial to building strong relationships with clients.
- Interpersonal skills. When you work in this field, you tend to talk to people about their most sensitive issues: poverty, health, drug abuse and more. Having strong interpersonal skills will help you communicate effectively when it comes to these sensitive issues.
- Organizational skills. While this work involves human interaction, it also requires a lot of paperwork for many different clients. It’s important to be organized to make sure you fill out and file everything correctly. Many workers also juggle many different clients and services, so organization is definitely a plus.
- Problem-solving skills. Workers in this field typically help clients solve complicated and life-affecting problems. It’s important to have solid problem-solving skills so that you can listen to the needs of your clients and then offer practical, workable solutions.
- Time-management skills. Human services workers tend to be busy in their day-to-day work lives. Time management is important to make sure that you’re completing everything you need to so that you can serve your clients fully.
Job Outlook & Salary
The job outlook for social and human service assistants, the category under which human services workers with an associate degree or less fall, is generally positive. Employment in this field is projected to grow by 16% from 2016-2026, which is faster than the rate of all occupations.
This increase will be caused in part by the increasing number of older adults who require social services. It may also be caused by federal health insurance reform, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The median pay for social and human service assistants is $33,120 per year or $15.92 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That means half the workers in this occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. In addition, the lowest 10 percent of workers earned less than 21,480, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $53,380.
Most social and human service assistants work full-time, with some nights and weekends. About 1 out of every 5 workers worked part time in 2016 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This should provide you with a solid foundation for what Human Services is and what Human Services workers do. This growing field is looking for new candidates with a passion for helping their communities. If that sounds like you, then you might want to look into pursuing education and a career in the Human Services field.
State Human Service Agency Info and Links
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Click for HHS Agencies by State
ALABAMA
Agency: Alabama Department of Human ResourcesInformation: (334) 242-1160Go to the Alabama Department of Human Resources.Agency: Alabama Medicaid Agency
Information: (334) 242-5610
Go to the Alabama Medicaid Agency.ALASKAAgency: Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Information: (907) 465-3030
Go to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.AMERICAN SAMOA
Agency: American Samoa Department of Health
Information: (684) 633-4606
Go to the American Samoa Department of HealthAgency: American Samoa Department of Human and Social Services
Information: (684) 633-7506
Go to the American Samoa Department of Human and Social ServicesARIZONA
Agency: Arizona Department of Economic Security
Information: (602) 542-4791
Go to the Arizona Department of Economic Security.Agency: Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System
Information: (602) 417-4000
Go to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System.ARKANSAS
Agency: Arkansas Department of Human Services
Information:(501) 682-8650
Go to the Arkansas Department of Human Services.CALIFORNIA
Agency: California Health and Human Services Agency
Information: (916) 654-3454
Go to the California Health and Human Services Agency.
Go to the California Department of Health Care Services.
Go to the California Department of Social Services.COLORADO
Agency: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
Information: (303) 866-2993
Go to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.Agency: Colorado Department of Human Services
TANF Eligibility Verification: 1-(800) 221-3943
Food Assistance Eligibility Verification: (303) 866-2536
Information: (303) 866-5822
Go to the Colorado Department of Human Services.CONNECTICUT
Agency: Connecticut Department of Children and Families
Information: (860) 550-6300
Go to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.Agency: Connecticut Department of Social Services
Information: (860) 424-5053
Go to the Connecticut Department of Social Services.DELAWARE
Agency: Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
Information: (302) 255-9040
Go to the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services.Agency: Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families
Information: (302) 633-2500
Go to the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families.DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Agency: D.C. Child and Family Services Agency
Information: (202) 724-7008
Go to the D.C. Child and Family Services Agency.Agency: D.C. Department of Health
Information: (202) 442-5955
Go to the D.C. Department of Health.Agency: D.C. Department of Human Services
Information: (202) 671-4200
Go to the D.C. Department of Human Services.FLORIDA
Agency: Florida Agency for Health Care Administration
Information: (850)488-3560
Go to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.Agency: Florida Department of Children and Families
Information: (850) 487-1111
Food Stamp Hotline: (866) 762-2237
Go to the Florida Department of Children and Families.GEORGIA
Agency: Georgia Department of Community Health
Information: (404) 656-4507
Go to the Georgia Department of Community Health.Agency: Georgia Department of Human Services
Information: (404) 651-6314
Go to the Georgia Department of Human Services.GUAM
Agency: Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services
Information: (671) 735-7399
Go to the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services.HAWAII
Agency: Hawaii Department of Human Services
Information: (808) 586-4997
Go to the Hawaii Department of Human Services.IDAHO
Agency: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Information: (208) 334-5500
Go to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.ILLINOIS
Agency: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Information: (217) 785-2509
Go to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.Agency: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Information: (217) 782-1200
Go to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.Agency: Illinois Department of Human Services
Information: (217) 557-1601
Go to the Illinois Department of Human Services.INDIANA
Agency: Indiana Department of Child Services
Information: (317) 234-5437
Go to the Indiana Department of Child Services.Agency: Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
Public Eligibility Verification: (317) 233-0826
Go to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.IOWA
Agency: Iowa Department of Human Services
Information: (515) 281-5454
Go to the Iowa Department of Human Services.KANSAS
Agency: Kansas Department for Children and Families
Information: (785) 296-3271
Go to the Kansas Department for Children and Families.KENTUCKY
Agency: Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Information: (502) 564-7042
Go to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.LOUISIANA
Agency: Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services
Information: (225) 342-7475
Go the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services.MAINE
Agency: Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Information: (207) 287-3707
Go to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.MARYLAND
Agency: Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Information: (410) 767-6500
Go to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.Agency: Maryland Department of Human Resources
Information: (410) 767-7109
Go to the Maryland Department of Human Resources.MASSACHUSETTS
Agency: Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS)
Information: (617) 573-1800
Go to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services.Agency: Massachusetts EOHHS-Office of Medicaid
Information: (617) 573-1770
Go to the Massachusetts Office of Medicaid.Agency: Massachusetts EOHHS-Department of Social Services
Information: (617) 748-2000
Go to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Family Services.Agency: Massachusetts EOHHS-Department of Transitional Assistance
Information: (617) 348-8410
Go to the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance.MICHIGAN
Agency: Michigan Department of Community Health
Information: (517) 373-3740
Go to the Michigan Department of Community Health.Agency: Michigan Department of Human Services
Information: (517)-373-3908
Go to the Michigan Department of Human Services.MINNESOTA
Agency: Minnesota Department of Human Services
Information: (651) 431-2000
Food Support, Minnesota Family Investment Program, MA, GA, GAMC, RA verification: (800) 657-3698 or (651) 431-4001
Go to the Minnesota Department of Human Services.MISSISSIPPI
Agency: Mississippi Department of Human Services
Information: (601) 359-4503
Go to the Mississippi Department of Human Services.MISSOURI
Agency: Missouri Department of Social Services
Information: (573) 751-4815
Go to the Missouri Department of Social Services.MONTANA
Agency: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Information: (406) 444-5622
Go to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.NEBRASKA
Agency: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Information: (402) 471-3121
Go to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.NEVADA
Agency: Nevada Department of Health and Human Services
Information: (775) 684-4000
Go to the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services.NEW HAMPSHIRE
Agency: New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Information: (603) 271-4688
Go to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.NEW JERSEY
Agency: New Jersey Department of Children and Families
Information: (609) 984-4500
Go to the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.Agency: New Jersey Department of Human Services
Information: (609) 292-0901
Go to the New Jersey Department of Human Services.NEW MEXICO
Agency: New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department
Information: (505) 827-7602
Go to the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department.Agency: New Mexico Human Services Department
Information: (505) 827-7750
Go to the New Mexico Human Services Department.NEW YORK
Agency: New York State Office of Children and Family Services
Information: (518) 473-7793
Go to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.Agency: New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Information: (518) 474-4152
Go to the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.Agency: New York State Department of Health
Information: (518) 474-2011
Go to the New York State Department of Health.NORTH CAROLINA
Agency: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Information: (919) 733-4534
Go to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.NORTH DAKOTA
Agency: North Dakota Department of Human Services
Information: (701) 328-2310
Go to the North Dakota Department of Human Services.OHIO
Agency: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
Information: (614) 466-6283
Go to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.OKLAHOMA
Agency: Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Information: (405) 521-3646
Go to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.Agency: Oklahoma Health Care Authority
Information: (405) 522-7300
Go to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.OREGON
Agency: Oregon Department of Human Services
Information: (503) 945-5944
Go to the Oregon Department of Human Services.PENNSYLVANIA
Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Information: (717) 787-2600
Verification of state benefits: (800) 692-7462
Go to the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.PUERTO RICO
Agency: Puerto Rico Department of the Family
Information: (787) 294-4900
Go to the Puerto Rico Department of the Family.Agency: Puerto Rico Department of Health
Information: (787) 274-7604
Go to the Puerto Rico Department of Health.RHODE ISLAND
Agency: Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Information: (401) 462-5274
Go to the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services.Agency: Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Information: (401) 528-3540
Go to the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families.Agency: Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Information: (401) 462-2121
Go to the Rhode Island Department of Human Services.SOUTH CAROLINA
Agency: South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Information: (803) 898-2500
Go to the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.Agency: South Carolina Department of Social Services
Information: (803) 898-7360
Go to the South Carolina Department of Social Services.SOUTH DAKOTA
Agency: South Dakota Department of Social Services
Information: (605) 773-3165
Go to the South Dakota Department of Social Services.TENNESSEE
Agency: Tennessee Department of Children’s Services
Information: (615) 741-9699
Go to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services.Agency: Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration
Information: (615) 741-2401
Go to the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration.Agency: Tennessee Department of Human Services
Family Assistance Service Center: (615) 311-4287
Go to the Tennessee Department of Human Services.TEXAS
Agency: Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Ombudsman's Office: (512) 438-3280
Program Eligibility Verification: (877) 787-8999
Go to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.Agency: Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services
Information: (512) 438-3011
Go to the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.Agency: Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
Information: (512) 377-0800
Go to the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services.Agency: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Information: (512) 438-4119
Go to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.Agency: Texas Department of State Health Services
Information: (512) 458-7111
Go to the Texas Department of State Health Services.Agency: Texas Workforce Commission
Information: (512) 463-2222
Go to the Texas Workforce Commission.UTAH
Agency: Utah Department of Health
Information: (801) 538-6101
Go to the Utah Department of Health.Agency: Utah Department of Human Services
Information: (801) 538-4001
Go to the Utah Department of Human Services.Agency: Utah Department of Workforce Services
Information: Number: (801) 526-9210
Go to the Utah Department of Workforce Services.VERMONT
Agency: Vermont Agency of Human Services
Information: (802) 241-2220
Go to the Vermont Agency of Human Services.VIRGINIA
Agency: Virginia Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services
Information: (804) 786-7765
Go to the Virginia Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services .Agency: Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
Information: (804) 786-7933
Go to the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services.Agency: Virginia Department of Social Services
Information: (804) 726-7000
Go to the Virginia Department of Social Services.U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Agency: Virgin Islands Department of Health
Information: (340) 774-9000
Go to the Virgin Islands Department of Health.Agency: Virgin Islands Department of Human Services
Information: (340) 774-0930
Go to the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Human Services.WASHINGTON
Agency: Washington Department of Social and Health Services
Information: (360) 902-7800
Go to the Washington Department of Social and Health Services.WEST VIRGINIA
Agency: West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
Information: (304) 558-0684
Go to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.WISCONSIN
Agency: Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
Information: (608) 267-3905
Go to the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.WYOMING
Agency: Wyoming Department of Family Services
Information: (307) 777-7734
Go to the Wyoming Department of Family Services.Agency: Wyoming Department of Health
Information: (307) 777-7656
Go to the Wyoming Department of Health.Posted on: May 19, 2017
Updated On: September 14, 2018