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Child Functioning

Information obtained from observations and conversations with the child, parents, family members, and/or collaterals

Behavior/ Physical Ability​

  • Describe the child’s physical ability/vulnerability

  • Describe any violent and/or sexual behavior

  • Describe how the child plays/sports/works/chores

  • Describe the child’s eating and sleeping habits

 

Emotion/ Temperament

  • Describe the child’s social interactions (home/school/other)

  • Describe the child’s self-awareness & acceptance

  • Describe mood changes

  • Who does the child trust/mistrust?

  • Describe the child’s personality

  • Describe the child’s independence

  • Describe the child’s assertiveness

Development (Ages 0-5)

  • Describe the child’s verbal skills/communication

  • Describe the child’s motor skills

  • Describe the child’s attachment

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Academic Status (Ages 6 & up)

  • Describe the child’s academic performance

  • Describe the child’s intellect & mental performance​

 

Health Status

  • Describe the child’s medical & dental status

  • Describe the child’s medical condition and/or medication (including vitamins/diet)

  • Describe the child’s symptoms of trauma and/or mental health

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Becca is a bi-racial (Caucasian and African-American) child. Becca is currently in 7th grade and is in advanced courses which includes Pre-Algebra. According to school records, the child earned all A’s in her courses last semester. She speaks fluent English and some Spanish; she is planning to enroll in an online Spanish course this summer. The school reports the child interacts well with both her peers and teachers. The child speaks a great deal about her mother and worries a lot about her mother. The child’s father is deceased (death certificate confirmed). The child remembers living with her father when he was alive but does not look to that as positive time in her life; she has some memories of arguments and violence between her parents. The child describes spending a good amount of time alone and describes herself as lonely and sometimes afraid. She spends some time with her maternal family (grandmother, grandfather, and aunt). The child has no connection to the paternal family. The child has some friends and on occasion she goes to their houses for slumber parties or birthday parties. The mother reports that the child is a “good girl”, but at times can be "sassy". The mother acknowledges that the child has more responsibility than is reasonable for a child her age, such as making her own food; her favorite being macaroni and cheese. The child is responsible for her own hygiene and presented well-groomed; her hair was nicely fixed in a braid. The child has no medical conditions and is up-to-date on immunizations. The child takes a daily multivitamin. She enjoys eating both healthy foods and the occasional fast food (Chick-fil-a being her favorite). The mother also recognizes that the child is in a position of feeling responsible for caring for her and that this is not a normal or healthy responsibility for her. The extended family all describes her as a loveable girl who is sweet and smart.

Adult Functioning

Information obtained from observations and conversations with the adult, child(ren), other parent, family members, and/or collaterals

Behavior & Emotion

  • Describe the adult’s communication/ social skills

  • Describe the adult’s coping skills and stress management

  • Describe the adult’s self-control

  • Describe the adult’s problem solving

  • Describe the adult’s judgment/ decision making

  • Describe the adult’s independence

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Health Status

  • Describe the adult’s substance misuse

  • Describe the adult’s mental health and rationality

  • Describe the adult’s physical health

  • Describe the adult’s self-care and preservation

  • Describe the adult’s culture beliefs and practices

  • Describe the adult’s religious/spiritual beliefs and practices

Education & Employment

  • Describe the adult’s home and financial management

  • Describe the adult’s employment/ education level

  • Describe the adult’s criminal history

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Social Systems

  • Describe the adult's family and support system

  • Describe the adult’s current/previous social relationships

  • Describe the adult’s current/previous intimate relationships

  • Describe the adult’s violence and/or coercive control in relationships

  • Describe the adult’s community involvement

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Tami is a 30-year-old Caucasian female who currently resides in an apartment with her child. Tami was in a relationship for several years with James who died approximately 2 years ago. Tami describes their relationship as troubled, with frequent arguments and intimate partner violence. Tami reports that since James died she has had difficulty managing her life. She is on disability with a diagnosis for depression. She has been in the habit of drinking alcohol when she is feeling particularly “blue,” which has been happening more frequently. She reports a pattern of alcohol use of 5 to 6 times a week, often starting early in the morning. Tami describes herself as lacking energy with overwhelming fatigue. She struggles to get out of bed and finds herself exhausted after taking the child to school in the morning. She has not been following the directions for the prescription medication, but rather describes herself as taking it when she remembers and often forgetting when she had her last dosage. Tami has been unable to be employed for some time now; she is unable to imagine how she would manage a job in her current state. Tami reports that between her disability, TANF, and a small amount of money from James’s death benefits they are able to get by financially. She would and has gotten help from her parents financially for basic necessities. Tami has been struggling with her mental health since high school. Tami became pregnant in high school and placed the baby for adoption. The child describes her mother as always tired; she can’t describe what her mother is like when she is happy, she only shrugs her shoulders. Tami presents as articulate and intelligent but with overwhelming sadness. She reports that the only people in her life are her parents, her sister, and her child. She is lonely, frustrated and overwhelmed with her life and she said she would rather just “sleep her life away.”

Parenting & Discipline

Information obtained from observations and conversations with the adult, child(ren), other parent, family members, and/or collaterals

Parenting Viewpoints

  • Reasons for being a caregiver

  • Satisfaction in being a caregiver

  • Knowledge and skill in parenting and child development

  • Viewpoint of each caregivers’ role

  • Viewpoint of child(ren)’s role

  • Expectations and empathy for a child

  • Cultural practices

 

Parenting Application

  • Parenting style ("helicopter", "tiger", permissive)

  • Basic care and affection

  • Decision making in parenting practices

  • History of parenting behavior and protectiveness

  • Examples of parenting behavior

  • Examples of parenting experiences

Discipline Viewpoints

  • Disciplinary methods

  • Perception of effectiveness of utilized approaches

  • Concepts and purpose of discipline

  • Context in which discipline occurs

  • Cultural practices

 

Discipline Application​

  • How does the caregiver manage/redirect child’s behavior?

  • Examples of behavior management (ex: corporal punishment, timeout, restrictions, removal of privileges, positive reinforcement)

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General Parenting:

Tami reports that the child is a wonderful girl and that she is lucky to be her mom. She describes her child as her “second chance baby” and that she feels blessed to be her mom. Tami said that she was thrilled to learn that she was pregnant when she was expecting. Tami reports that she became pregnant in high school and relinquished that child for adoption. Tami responded that when the child's father was alive she considered her family "more like a messed up relationship". Tami recognizes that she is not being the kind of mother she hoped to be, she said that she envisioned doing things with her child and that she had planned on being “more of a family with a mom and dad.” As activities she reports that she and her child watch movies together, but also said it has been a long time since they did that. She understands that she was not available to her child when she is intoxicated or overwhelmed by depression but does not recognize how that was dangerous for the child. The maternal family reports they are worried about how Tami was parenting, that is why they drop by periodically. The child reports that Tami is a good mom and that she loves and worries about her. The child was unable to describe activities that they share for fun. Both the mother and child expressed a desire to have "better days" together.

Discipline:

Tami indicates that when she disciplines it is primarily time out and verbal explanations. She states that at times she feels overwhelmed or frustrated with the child, which can cause her to overreact. She describes overreacting if the child spills milk; Tami yells at her. She denied using any physical discipline. Tami was unable to describe any purpose in her discipline and only minimal information about boundaries, rules, or structure. Tami acknowledges that most often she is either too tired or sleeping to provide much if any discipline. The child does not describe discipline as occurring to really stop or change behavior. The child said she gets in trouble when she makes a mess in the kitchen and her mother yells at her. She was not able to describe any other type of correction she receives from Tami. In dealing with the child's "sassy" behaviors, Tami indicated that she does not know how to handle her during those times. The maternal family could not remember the child receiving any discipline.

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