|
In
Whose Best Interest?
Discussion
Questions
- Does the
contracting approach Becky and Aldo have chosen to take with
the Lowell family exemplify family-centered practices? Are their
interactions with the family respectful and empowering?
- Is Steve's
complaint about the referral to Early Start a valid one?
- Becky chose
to ignore-or at least postpone dealing with-Steve's outburst
about Nancy's referral of Aaron to the Early Start program.
Was this the best way to handle his outburst?
- In this
case, Becky and Aldo make home visits to the Lowell family together.
What are the advantages of co-visits in this case? Under what
circumstances should co-visits be considered given the increased
cost of assigning two staff members to a family?
- Carol's
and Steve's cooperation with the various agencies and professionals
described in the case seems largely a function of court orders
and threats. Can a family-centered approach be implemented under
such circumstances?
- If you
could turn back the clock to the time when Crystal's abuse was
first discovered, how would you have proceeded with this family?
To what degree do you think you could have avoided the use of
court orders and threats?
- Becky and
Also seem somewhat more positive about the Lowells than other
professionals who work with the family. Is there anything that
Becky and Aldo can do to influence others' perceptions of the
family or to persuade them to take a more family-centered approach?
- Will the
apparent developmental delays of the children be exacerbated
by the fact that Carol and Steve have disabilities? If so, should
this affect decisions about the placement of the children?
- If, as
the caseworker suggests, the Lowell family will need supportive
services throughout their lifetime to avoid further incidences
of abuse or neglect, would you favor providing such services
over terminating the parents' rights? Should the economic costs
of services versus termination be considered in resolving this
question?
- Have the
best interests of Aaron and Crystal been taken into consideration
in the decisions made by the court and the human services agencies?
What are these children's rights and can they be honored while
adhering to a family-centered approach?
- In this
case, have the necessary precautions been taken to guard against
child abuse or neglect? What possible indications of abuse or
neglect should Becky and Aldo watch for in order to guard against
its occurrence?
In
Whose Best Interest? Case Story
|
