Caseworker Training: NC FAST and DSS Human Services
Interested in helping others access resources they need? Prepare for a career in social services departments in just 16 weeks.
What You Will Learn
Human services specialists help people determine if they are eligible for benefits such as Food and Nutrition Services, Work First Family Assistance, and Medicaid. In the caseworker training program, you will learn the roles and responsibilities of an income maintenance caseworker:
employability skills and keyboarding
customer service and client interviewing
NC FAST computer application
time management and data collection
interview practice and skills
After you successfully complete the caseworker training, you can be granted an assessment for a human services specialist caseworker position at the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services. The starting salary for a human services specialist is $31,900 (source: Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services).
Why Choose Central Piedmont
The Caseworker Training program is offered as a result of a partnership between the N.C. Department of Social Services and the state’s community college system. Central Piedmont's College and Career Readiness offers programs to develop students’ academic skills, earn a high school equivalency (GED or HiSET) or adult high school diploma, learn English as a second language (ESL), develop employability skills and participate in various work-based-learning experiences, or explore career and post-secondary educational opportunities. Many programs are free or at a very low cost for qualified participants.
Real World Education
At Central Piedmont, your education goes beyond what you learn in class. We offer numerous opportunities for you to enhance your learning — and to make friends, network, and pursue your passions — through clubs and organizations, sports, events and activities, leadership opportunities, job experience, volunteer experiences, visual and performing arts, and even international experiences.
Phase 1 is a 48-hour Career Development course (HRD) titled "Introduction to Human Services."
The Phase 1 class will meet a total of 16 days. You will be expected to attend the three full hours per class session. If you miss more than four class sessions, you will not be eligible to graduate to the next phase of the class.
Phase 2
After successfully completing Phase 1, you will be eligible to enroll in Phase 2. Phase 2 is a 48-hour course focused on proficiency in the utilization of the NC FAST computer application.
At the conclusion of the second phase, you can be granted an assessment interview session for the Human Services Specialist position at Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services and granted credit for one year of work experience with Mecklenburg County DSS.
Classes start every 8 weeks, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1–4 p.m. or 6–9 p.m. or on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6–9 p.m. Classes are held virtually or on Central Campus in the North Classroom Building.
The tuition and fees for Phase 1 can be waived if you are currently unemployed, have received notification of a pending layoff, are working and eligible for the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit, or are working and earn wages at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (PDF).
You will complete your fee waiver and registration form in class.
To get started, attend an information/orientation session. Information sessions are typically held about a month before class starts. You do not need to RSVP to attend. At these sessions, we provide an overview of the class, answer common questions, introduce the instructor, and discuss the registration process. Attendance at this session will not guarantee you a spot in the upcoming class. Please check back for details on upcoming information session dates.