Case Presentation

Lisa Ivey

Background Inform ation

Problem:
An African American female (Kenya) at the age of 26 years old
has became involved with DSS due to substance abuse and
domestic violence in the presence of her two children (Dan
and Diamond). The domestic violence abuser is the childrens
father, James. Kenya has been involved with case
management at DSS for one year with not much cooperation
with completing the recommended services. This has been the
second time that DSS has been involved with the family. The
last time that DSS was involved, Kenya had been drinking and
driving with the children in the car and had an accident, which
was in 2012.

Background Inform ation

Services that are required (FSCP)
DSS is asking Kenya to complete substance abuse
classes at any mental health provider that offers
substance abuse classes, employment, housing, mental
health assessment and domestic violence classes in
order for the case to close.

Background Inform ation

Strengths and limitations:
Strengths- Kenya has had employment with Campbell Soup
working full-time for the last 6 months. Kenya has housing; living in
public housing for the past two years. Kenya has completed some
of her substance abuse classes. Her provider has informed DSS
that she has been testing negative for the past three random drug
tests. Kenya has completed all of her domestic violence classes.
Limitations: Kenya has not completed her substance abuse classes
and she has not completed a mental health assessment because
she feel that there is nothing mentally wrong with her.

Biases during interview

Some of the bias that I had going into the interview was:
Why was the mother drinking and driving with the children in the car; what type of
mother would do that?
Why would the parents be fighting in front of the children?
When visiting the children, why dont their hair looked brushed and better kept?
Why are the childrens clothes have a bad smell?

Some of the bias that the mother had during the interview was:
The mother was avoidant of any workers with DSS. She felt that they were out to get her.
During the interview, the mother would call DSS names, even racial names.
The mother felt that she did not have any mental issues and did not feel a need to
complete a mental health assessment.

Value D iff
erences
Some of the value difference between myself and the client
are:
Beliefs- Drinking or using drugs in front of the children. This is
something that I have a very strong belief in, not using
substances.
Identification- The client and myself are involved in two
different cultures. This can create a misunderstanding and
conflict within this case.

W hat events or life experiences have shaped them into the person
they are?

This client has dealt with a lot during her childhood. She
witnessed domestic violence most of her childhood. She
also was sexually abused by her uncle for about three
years. Her mother would always emotionally abuse her
and her father left her around 13 years old. This client
became pregnant around 16 years old and had another
child around 17 years old. Her husband abused her for
several years because she felt that she did not deserve
any better. The husband was charged with midnight
burglary and is currently serving time in prison. He has
30 years to serve. She is currently living by herself,
working full-time, and providing for her family. She is
experiencing depression and using illegal substance
when DSS got involved.

W hat is the staffrecom m endations for the children

involved?
1.That Family Preservation continues.
2. That the mother continue to remain employed and maintain housing for her
and her children.
3. That Kenya be ordered by the court to receive a mental health assessment
and follow all recommendations .
4. That Kenya continue attending her substance abuse counseling and take
random drug tests.
5. That if Kenya test positive for any substance, she must place her children
with
her mother until the court states otherwise.

W hat does research say on her diagnosis?

Guardian ad Litem does not complete any type of diagnosis,

treatment, or intervention. Therefore , Kenyas diagnosis comes
from a mental health provider in Lumberton, NC. Kenya has been
pre-diagnosed with substance dependence and depression from
the mental health provider. There are no other known diagnosis
for her at this time. However, the mental health provider could
order for a psychological evaluation to be completed on Kenya
after the mental health assessment has been done.

W hat changes do recom m end for the agency or service (N eeds of

agency, changes, and rights issues)?

Guardian ad Litem recommends that the agency complete a

mental health assessment on the mother. Also, Guardian ad
Litem recommends that the children also complete an
assessment to determine if there have been any trauma to
the children due to the mothers actions from drinking and
domestic violence.

Recom m endations:
Guardian ad Litem recommends that if the mother
completes all services that DSS and the mental health
provider has required of her, then the case be closed.

Com petences
1. Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly.
2. Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
3. Apply critical thinking to inform & communicate professional judgments.
5. Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
8. Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to
deliver effective social work services.
10. Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups,
organizations, and communities.