Frequently Asked Questions

1) Where is the office located?
The Child Abuse and Family Violence Institute office is located on the basement of the King Hall Building, wing B, room 109B
2) How do I apply?
Students can call our office to request information on the Certificate Program to be sent via postal mail (We will need your current address etc.; if you choose to leave a message, please speak slowly and clearly). You may come to our office and pick up an application. Applications are placed on the inside office door and the outside door as well. If you have any questions, student assistants cover the office for approximately 20 hours per week, and will be there to help you. Student Assistants’ hours may change quarterly. It will be posted quarterly on our outside door.
3) How many hours do I need in total for my field placement?
You need a total of 120 hours or 4 units in HHS 495. Students may take 1 to 4 units in one quarter, each unit requiring 30 hours for a total of 120 hrs for 4 units. Note that each section of HHS 495 corresponds to the number of units it carries (e.g. HHS 495 sec. 02 is 2 units).
* Social Work students may be able to count all hours and units from their SW 495 internship; PLEASE SEE ACCEPTANCE OF SW 495 LINK ON THE SIDE BAR.
4) Do I have to do the internship hours all in one quarter?
No, the hours can be spread out into different quarters. One way to do this is to register for 1 unit in one quarter and 3 in another. Some students take 2 units at a time. If you do not finish the hours you registered for within the quarter, you can obtain an incomplete by filling out an incomplete contract. In that contract you determine your own plan for completion within one year. Please note that you have to fill out the contract before the end of the quarter in order to get an incomplete submitted as your grade. We have these forms in the Child Abuse and Family Violence Institute office.
5) What is EPIC? Why do I need to register at EPIC and where is it located?
EPIC (Educational Participation In Communities) engages students directly in the fight against urban poverty and social inequity through off campus field placements in human service agencies and on campus volunteer opportunities in student-run service projects.
You need to register in order to do your field placement because EPIC has agreements that address liability issues with Juvenile Court sites.
EPIC is located in the lower level of the Career Center. Please call (323) 343-3380 to obtain their hours of operation. Registering with them will take approximately 10 minutes. Certificate students are then asked to send us an email, confirming that this requirement was met.
6) What Field Placements are currently available?
· Free Arts
· Children’s Legal Center
· Research and Adoption Departments/Office of the Presiding Judge
· L.A. County Department of Children’s Services Shelter Care.
Other placements are in the process of signing agreements through EPIC. We also have some very limited special placements that are not open to all students. 
7) What are your office hours?

8) How long does it take to receive the Certificate?
The coursework can be completed in a year, but that requires attending to when classes are offered. The process of receiving the Certificate may take 2-3 months after it is requested. Students are required to initiate the request, as they are the only ones who can track their academic classes.
9) What are the required courses?
· CHDV 412 – Issues in Child Abuse, Neglect and Family Violence (4units) Class offered in Fall and Spring
· PSY/COUN 403 – The Psychosocial Dynamics of Child Maltreatment and Family Violence (4 units). Class offered in Fall and Spring
· COMD 457 – Communicating with Abused Children and Violent Families (4 units) Class offered in Winter
· SW 456 – Multidisciplinary Teams, Child Maltreatment and Family Violence (4 units) Class offered in Summer and Winter.
· Student can take one elective from the 2nd page on the application. Please see application for more info.
· With the recent cutback in class offerings, students may propose a course substitution for the Director’s consideration.
10) Why do I need to register for HHS 495? Why can’t I just go to the internship site on my own?
HHS 495 is a requirement for the Certificate Program. It’s a Credit/No Credit course and it has specific requirements outlined in the HHS 495 syllabus. You will need 4 units of HHS 495 in order to obtain a Certificate. You must register for it in order to have it appear on your transcript. Students are also formally screened by the Superior Court Volunteer’s Office, before they begin. That process takes place after your interview with your potential supervisor. Student’s initiate those events by selecting a placement and writing a letter. All of this is outlined in the HHS 495 syllabus.
11) Can my intern hours be done in the summer?
You may be able to do the hours in the summer, but you would have to have registered for HHS 495 in the previous Spring Quarter. You would need to get interviewed by a placement supervisor in Spring to assure that this arrangement for Summer would be workable. There are additional requirements you would need to meet in order to make this happen. It would require meeting with the Director or Student Assistant for more details.