COMMUNITY SERVICE TODAY

Currently, CPSP students choose from more than 500 approved non-profit  or public agencies in the Capital Region. Students are also able to arrange placements in their home communities during the summer and winter intercessions. Agency placements include working in homeless shelters, hospitals and healthcare facilities, schools and government agencies. A student can earn up to six credits by completing 100 hours  of
volunteer service in courses RSSW-290 and RSSW-390 in separate  semesters; and, they can earn an additional two credits by completing  60 hours in RSSW-291. All sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible  without regard to their majors. Second semester freshmen can take  RSSW-291.

Students often select volunteer opportunities that help them decide on their major, their graduate studies, or their future career paths. Given the recent realities of higher education costs and decreasing employment in some categories of college graduates, experience gained during community service placements can make the difference between employment and unemployment after graduation.

Community service is the primary goal of the CPSP experience. Whether students are helping the homeless, helping people who are living in nursing homes, or working with computer databases in New York State departments, they are providing valuable service to the Capital Region.
Many organizations are short-staffed and under-funded. Students  supplement work activities in a variety of settings. Student volunteers provide valuable help in an age of diminished funding in both the public and non-profit sectors.
 
Career experience

CPSP experience helps students integrate classroom learning with future academic and career goals. CPSP staff is available to help students select appropriate  placements. Each student is supervised, on-site, and the  field supervisors communicate student progress directly to the CPSP Office.

The CPSP staff is available to help students select an appropriate placement and to assist students to satisfactorily complete the course requirements. Nancy  Machold has served as administrator of the Community and Public Service  Program since September of 2002.

Course Requirements

Each semester students in the CPSP classes (RSSW 290, 291 and 390) are expected to complete several requirement at an approved agency. These include an orientation seminar, a learning contract, a reflective essay and  the required minimum number of hours for the course in which they are enrolled.

Orientation seminar: Students are given outlines for their learning contract and reflective essay, deadlines for all assignments and completion of hours, and tips for making their volunteer experience mutually beneficial for the agency and the student.

Learning contract: Students create an agreement which both they and their supervisors sign. This is the basis for accreditation and includes specific duties, work times and expected learning objectives.

Reflective Essay: Students are asked to reflect on their agency experience in nine areas.

Evaluations: Mid-term evaluations for full semester students and final evaluations for 8 week 2 students and full semester students are completed by the on-site supervisor and reviewed by the CPSP staff. If a student is having  difficulty, the mid-term evaluation will be used to facilitate solutions to problems. The CPSP staff is available to assist students and agencies to achieve a mutually beneficial volunteer experience.

For more information about specific assignments go to Required Assignments.