Process recording of a child welfare home study assessment

SW: Hello M. Thanks for meeting with me. I brought the intern along with me and I hope you don't mind?

M: That's fine.

SW: I am here to complete an assessment of your home and also to gather some of your information.

M: Hi come on in and have a sit.

SW You have a nice home.

M: Thank you. Would you like something to drink?

SW: No than you. I just had lunch. I understand your grandson has been in our care buy we have been asked to do a complete home study by the Hydepark Area office prior to the next court date in November. I'm not sure how much they explained to you about the home study process, but it is a very intrusive process ad I want to make sure it is still something you want to go forward with.

[M seems like a nice woman. Her house looks and smells clean. She pointed to the kitchen where there was a table with four chairs. I assumed she wanted us to sit there so I did. I hope she will be okay with the home study process. I cannot believe how prepared she really is for this meeting, she has her notebook and wrote down all of her questions.]

[Supervisor: Would you consider asking grandma on the phone first about the intern? I really like the way you are so clear and organized in or initial interaction with her. And that you complemented her. Sounds like she may have been prepared ahead of time for what was in store.]

M: Yes, I do. I love my daughter but in a way I am glad the children are not in her care because they're safer with me. Plus it keeps her from coming to the house. She used to always come by the house [un]announced asking to borrow money. Since I have my grandson she's not allowed to come over because DCF does not want her here.

[She sounds relieved that she does not have to deal with her daughter borrowing money anymore.]

[Supervisor: Common response to feel relieved or DCF making boundaries. Good, respectful, clear. Nice, positive complement to her. I can hear the sincerity in our writing.]

[Wow! She really cares about her family. Well, maybe it is because of her past experience. She had tears in her eyes and her voice sounded emotional as if she was about to cry.]

[Supervisor: Wow? Over her openness so soon or how much she cares about her family.]

SW: That is correct, M. our daughter cannot come to your home and visit the child, all visitation has be at DCF as requested by the ongoing social worker. If you don't mind, I would like to look around to make sure you have enough room and that the home is safe.

M: That's fine. You can look around.

SW: So. This is a three bedroom apartment. Your granddaughter also resides with you so your grandson will have his own bedroom. Right?

M: Yes he does have his own room.

SW Your grandchildren are lucky to have you.

SW: Wow, M. You wrote everything down! That is impressive! I am not used to this!

[Supervisor: Again, great positive feedback on our observation of her. No different in FR adjustment for interns. Ties back to "intrusiveness" remark at the beginning for you, I think.]

[The notebook and the pen seemed unusual for me. For clients I have met with in the past, I never took notes. This is interesting, I thought. She seems very organized. Well, you can tell by her house. It's very neat and organized.]

M: Well, my first question is regarding daycare. I really don't like where he's going.

SW: I'm happy to help in any way I can, but the daycare issue should be addressed with the on-going worker. Try that 1st and then let me know if I can help.

M. Okay. My other question is what can we do about clothes and other stuff that the children will need?

SW: Well, M. DCF will provide you with quarterly clothing allowance for your grandson. The amount is about $280 per child. DCF will also pay you a daily rate of about $20. You will also get reimbursed for mileage to parent/child visits, medical appointments, and other appointments.

[Wow. That does not seem like much money at all to take care of a child, but M. appeared satisfied with that.]

[Supervisor: It's all relative. Again, clear and somewhat directive -- just what is needed from the start.]

M: Wow. That is awesome. I was worried about that.

SW: Another thing, M. You will be responsible to assist with transportation to the parent. Child visits. Also, make sure that anything that has to do with the children, you ask the ongoing social worker. If you have any questions or concerns, always call the worker.

M Okay. I get that.

[I thought the session went well. I was able to engage the client as well as reach the goal which was to gather information to determine if the home was appropriate for placement. Client appeared very appropriate and was satisfied with answers provided by this worker. Once the home is approved, this worker will continue to provide support to the resource.

[Supervisor: Supportive and flexible.]

[I think the session went as well as can be expected. Mrs. W is very much invested in becoming a visiting resource for B. And spoke candidly about their situation. She did express some frustration about the process and was very appropriate in doing so. Even though this was our 1st session, she appeared to be at ease talking to this worker.

4

Introduction

The case is centered on a finding of parental neglect that resulted in the loss of custody by the maternal parent of two children. The family unit consists of a maternal parent and two children; the extended family includes a maternal grandparent, and a middle-aged uncle and aunt, and several cousins about her age who now live in neighboring towns and out-of-state. The maternal parent has a history of substance abuse, but encounters with law enforcement have been low level, consisting primarily of warnings regarding disrupting the peace and several calls regarding domestic violence. The mother attempted to exchange stolen goods, for which she had a bill of sale, for drugs but instead, she was battered by the drug dealer. Prior to a shoplifting incident last year, the mother had not been jailed for any offenses. Although the mother claimed that she was stealing shoes for her children, which, in fact, she was, the shopkeeper pressed charges. Several self-initiated attempts at detoxification were encouraged and arranged by the grandmother. Although the court has noted her persistence and belief in detox, it has also noted her repeated lack of success in this area. All available evidence points to a decrease in her ability to provide basic care for her children and to provide a safe environment. A persistent complication is that the mother's substance abuse frequently results in an inability to access shelters. The mother does not have a car in which to shelter, and has on more than one occasion kept the children on the street with her. When her situation became sufficiently difficult or frightening for the children, she would drop the children off at her mother's place. When she did reappear, her interest appeared to be less focused on the children's welfare and more on the possibility of extracting money from her mother. According to the mother and the grandmother, the two men who considered to be the fathers of the children both have long histories with substance abuse, and both have been in and out of prison for burglary and possession of regulated substances.

The father of the 10-year-old boy is a black man in his early 30s who lived with the mother until the boy reached the age of four. The boy is referred to as B. In the process recordings. He is a slender, attractive, and quiet boy who is interested in sports and shows some aptitude for art. He is moderately successful in his academic work, despite the fact that his attendance has been substantively impacted by frequent moves to various locations, including several stays in homeless shelters. However, he has had several substantive emotional