Case Presentation

By: Hillary Shore

Family Risk Assessment

Family Assessment of Strengths and

Needs

Clients Background Information

My case presentation is based on a 39 year old Native
American Mother.
She has three male children
The oldest child is 15
The middle child is 12
The youngest child is 5
Their father is also Native American and is 45 years old.
Their first referral to the Department of Social Services was
made on 1/8/15 and a second referral was made on 3/21/15.

Referral
DSS received a referral on 1/8/15 from the school stating that the
middle child appeared to be intoxicated while at school and his
behavior was not acceptable; in addition, his attendance was not on
track. Also, the oldest child was missing school with no excuse.
However, since 5/18/15 when the Case Management Social Worker
became involved she has not seen any indication that either child was
using any type of substances. The social worker and her supervisor
determined that services were needed for both the mother and father
and told them that they were to take an assessment and follow all the
recommendations. The social worker wrote up the Family Services
Case Plan on 5/18/15 and both parents signed it which meant they
would comply by taking an assessment and follow the
recommendations.

The Child and Family Team Meetings were held on

5-18-15 and 8-10-15 and the next one is schedule for 11-5-15

Problem Statement
The mother is receiving services because of the
referrals that were made. However, the initial
referral was made on the children but it did not
take long for the workers to realize that the
mother and father needed services as well.
The middle child was sent to
Palmer Prevention for
classes regarding the first
referral about him being
under the influence at
school. When Palmer tested
him he tested positive for
Marijuana. So he and his
father completed the classes
together and he was
released.

Client Services
The mother is suppose to be
going to TT&T in Lumberton to
receive her services.
TT&T is an outpatient
treatment facility.
After the assessment the
mother was recommended for
Substance Abuse Treatment
with Domestic Violence
collaborated within the
substance abuse classes.

With no progress at TT&T because of

her lack of attendance she later went
to Walter B. Jones Treatment Center in
Greenville, NC for detoxification.
She was completely detoxed on
9/3/15 and released
She went over a month with no drug
screens because no facility ever
contacted her to do so and she did
not make any effort to get tested on
her own to produce negative screens.
On 10/5/15 she was drug tested and
she tested positive for
Alcohol
Marijuana (THC)
Crack Cocaine

The father was only recommended for Anger Management classes at Holistic
Services but he completed it with TT&T services on 7/1/15 and his provider
said he was engaged and very cooperative.

Strengths
During the interview I
asked her: What do you
feel are your personal
strengths or what are you
best at?
o She responded saying
she was hardworking
and that she is very
good at talking to
people.

Strengths the
Department found
during the initial CFT
Meeting which was on
5/18/15
Housing
Usage of Community
Resources
Food Stamps
Medicaid
Child Characteristics
No Mental issues
No Medical issues

Limitations
Weaknesses the
department found during
the initial CFT Meeting
which was on 5/18/15
Substance Abuse
Unemployment
During the interview I
asked her: What she
thought her least
desirable qualities were or
if she even had any?
o She responded by

Current Limitations by
DSS Standards are:
Substance Abuse
Housing
Unemployment
Child Characteristics

Assessment Goals
Mother took an assessment
Results were that she needed Substance Abuse
Treatment and Domestic Violence Services.
The recommendation was for the longest and most
intensive class which is a 16 week course known as
Substance Abuse Comprehensive Outpatient
Treatment (SACOT). Attendance for this class is
everyday for 16 weeks.

Father also took an assessment

Results were for him to take anger management classes

Interventions with Timeframes

They both need to be completed with their services by the
third Child and Family Team Meeting which is on 11/5/15. That
would give them close to 180 days to complete the services
that was signed off on at the initial CFT meeting which was on
5/18/15.

Her social worker told me that since she is not being compliant
with her services it is almost 100% likely that her case will go
to court.
Mainly because she left Walter B. Jones Center fully detoxed
and later tested positive for Alcohol, Marijuana (THC), and
Crack Cocaine. In addition, to being noncompliant with her
Family Service Case Plan by not attending classes.

Biases I Had Going Into the Interview

It is hard for me to comprehend the fact that a client
does not want to change for her children in order to
have a more positive family structure.

Also, I was not really sure what to expect from the

interview or if she would even be willing to talk to me
about her life and her case with DSS.

Per
son
al V
alu
es

Ch
art

Value Differences
Our Top Eight Values

Clients Values

My Values

Accountability

Caring

Caring

Faith

Commitment

Fairness

Honesty

Family

Listening

Hardworking

Trust

Honesty

Vision

Integrity

Wisdom

Responsibility

Life Experiences
She said that she thinks if she would have had a child
before getting into drugs that she would not be in the
situation she is today.
She also stated that her children, boyfriend, and family has
made her the good parent she is today.

Staff Recommendation
The staff recommended for both the mother and the father
to complete an assessment and to follow all the
recommendations.

Which was Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence for

the mother which has not been completed.

And Anger Management for the father which he has

completed.

Research
Substance Abuse as a problem
One of the major health
concerns of American Indian
communities is alcohol and
drug abuse.
Substance Abuse Costs the
Nation more than $484
Billion per Year
31% of America's homeless
individuals suffer from drug
abuse
or alcoholism.
Types
of Treatment
for Marijuana
(THC)
Inpatient Recovery Programs
Outpatient Recovery Programs
These programs can involve
medication, behavioral
therapy, group and
individual therapy and

Treatment for Substance Abuse

Native American women have
been more likely to meet criteria
for substance abuse treatment
than any other ethnicity.
Types of Treatment for Crack Cocaine
Matrix Model
Inpatient Treatment
Outpatient Treatment
Support Groups
12-Step Programs

Types of Treatment for Alcohol Abuse

Inpatient Treatment Programs
Outpatient Treatment Programs
12-Step Treatment Programs
Alcoholics Anonymous
Programs

Client Recommendations
o The only statement the client made about this question is
that she wished DSS would help her more with housing.

However, she was living at Pembroke Housing Authority with

her family until she was told to leave by the social worker
when she tested positive for Alcohol, Marijuana, and Crack
Cocaine.
Also, because she had a theft charge.
And because they did not make their payment.

Other Questions I Asked During the

Interview
Questions I asked
What has it been like
having an open case at
DSS?

Her Answers

She said that it was tough because she is

trying to work
and it is hard for her to attended the classes.
Also, she
What could the social worker

Shenot
stated
that
she believes
the
said
it
is
hard
having
anywhere
to live.
have done for you that she did
social worker has done everything
not do, in your opinion?
she could.
She said in six months she plans on not
You have been involved
having an open case with DSS and getting
with Case Management
her children back in her custody. She also
for 6 months what do you
said she will get her children back when she
anticipate for the next 6
produces 3 negative drug screens.
months?
However, I asked her social worker
about the three negative drug screens
and she said that she has never been
told that by her.
What about your experience with DSS
She said she
would you change if it were in you
would stay off
power to do so?

Conceptual Framework that I Used

Family Systems Theory
Family systems theory has four key ideas, each react to one another and form a system
within a familys structure.
First, one should acknowledge that each family is different and their view on the world
shapes how their family works within the system of the universe.
This means a family can be formed by their cultural, political, ethical, and religious views
along with other aspects the family feels is important (Child Welfare Manuel, 2007).
Second, is how a family interacts with each other and the world as a system.
This leads to the family following certain boundaries that have been set for them within
their family system whether it is how they work together, communicate with each other and
society, or assimilate into the world (Child Welfare Manuel, 2007).
Third, is a family should be able to function properly and each member must understand
how they fit in with their family and then within society.
The last main idea is the family life cycle, which is where a family goes through different
changes to adjust their family structure by experiencing either developmental or nondevelopmental changes (Child Welfare Manuel, 2007).

Family Systems Theory helps one to determine how a family is progressing and where they
stand within their family structure and within society.

Competencies Used
1. Identify as a professional social
worker and conduct ones-self
accordingly
2. Apply social work ethical
principles to guide professional
practice.
3. Apply critical thinking to inform
& communicate professional
judgments.
4. Engage diversity and difference
in practice.
6. Engage in research-informed
practice and practice-informed
research.
7. Apply knowledge of human
behavior and the social
environment.
10. Engage, assess, intervene, and
evaluate with individuals, families,
groups, organizations, and
communities.

Practice Behaviors
1.3 - Attend to professionalUsed
roles and boundaries.
1.4 - Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior,
appearance, and communication.
1.5 - Engage in career-long learning.
2.1 - Recognize and manage personal values in a way
that allows professional values to guide practice.
2.3 - Tolerate ambiguity in resolving ethical conflicts.
3.1 - Distinguish, appraise, and integrate multiple
sources of knowledge, including research-based
knowledge, and practice wisdom.
3.2 - Analyze models of assessment, prevention,
intervention, and evaluation.
3.3 - Demonstrate effective oral and written
communications in working with individuals and
families.
4.3 - Recognize and communicate their understanding
of the importance of difference in shaping life
experiences.
6.1 - Use practice experience to inform scientific
inquiry.
7.1 - Utilize conceptual frameworks to guide the
processes of assessment, intervention, and
evaluation.
7.2 - Critique and apply knowledge to understand
person and environment.
10.1 - Substantively and affectively prepare for action
with individuals and families.
10.2 - Use empathy and other interpersonal skills.
10.4 - Collect, organize, and interpret client data.
10.5 - Assess client strengths and limitations.

References
Child Welfare Manuel. (2007). Family systems theory. Retrieved from
http://dss.mo.gov/cd/info/cwmanual/section7/ch1_33/sec7ch1.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK83240/
http://archives.drugabuse.gov/about/welcome/aboutdrugabuse
/magnitude/
http://www.womenshealth.gov/minority-health/americanindians/alcoholism-drug-abuse.html
http://www.recovery.org/topics/crack-cocaine-recovery/
http://www.recovery.org/topics/marijuana-recovery/
http://www.recovery.org/topics/alcohol-recovery/