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Mireku-Boateng
Nana A. Mireku-Boateng
Nana A. Mireku-Boateng
especially nasty and protracted "feud" between her and another client led to her
leaving the program. Fresh Start staff stated that they tried to mediate, Clarissa
would not stop arguing with the other woman. Staff observed that Clarissa seemed
to enjoy the excitement of it.
Fresh Start therapist noted to this SW: "She was very guarded and defensive in
group but we spoke a couple times in private. When Johnny's paternity test came
up negative Clarissa was terrified he would leave her. She was sure he would
abandon her and just devastated when he did. That's the real reason she blew out
of here. Plus I think things were getting a little too real for her in group. You know
almost every addicted woman we treat here has experienced some kind of sexual
abuse in the past. Clarissa said that never happened to her but she would get very
uncomfortable when other women started processing around that topic. Her
reaction had that too close for comfort feeling to it."
The therapist stated to this SW that Fresh Start would be willing to take Clarissa
back into the program if she was willing to try again. They would have to interview
her first, to make sure she's really committed to her own sobriety this time.
CRIMINAL RECORDS FOR CLARISSA REDD:
STATE AOC CIS
CR/IF CASE PROCESSING
**** CAUTION **** 999 IMAGINARY
STATEWIDE NAME INQUIRY INDEXED SOLELY BY NAME NO GUARANTEE TO DENTITY
REDD,CLARISSA,ANN
BFO1311978 SSN#:
999 99CR 005729 (ADDRESS)
DL#: CITY, NC
CIT#: TRIAL DT: 041199
SID#:
STATUS: U
DISTRICT PROCESS: S SERVED: 022499 CK DIG#:
LID#: 9600723 CHG: M SIMPLE
ASSAULT
C&F:
FTA:
OFA: CONV:
CLASS: P: V: M:VD
DISP:041199
Nana A. Mireku-Boateng
Nana A. Mireku-Boateng
SPEC COND: SIGN WAGE WITHHOLDING. SUPPORT COREY MILES - $70 PER WEEK COMP: JOANNE
GUNTER
1.
Presenting Problem/Reason for Assessment
This case was referred to me by Kim Ellis, the foster care worker for Ms. Redd's PCP
positive female infant, Mariah Redd, born 2/1. Ms. Redd was PCP positive and tested
at elevated levels of THC at the time of delivery. S/A assessment was requested to
determination feasibility of reunification. Ms. Redd has a 10 year-old son in her
mother's custody and a 7 year-old son living with his father. Ms. Redd is a single
African American female, mother of three, and she is 25 years old.
2.
Family of origin history in relation to
Chemical Dependency
She said on her mother's side of the family her grandfather was an alcoholic but her
mother doesn't drink. She said her stepfather is a drinker. She doesn't know about
the rest of his family. She doesn't know about her natural father's family.
Mental Illness
She said there was no mental illness on either side of the family.
Marital Status
She said her mother and natural father were divorced when she was 4 years old.
Her mother married her stepfather when she was 7. She has one sister.
Past Abuse
She said her mother never beat her but her stepfather did. He has not hit her since
she grew up (age 18). She said he was really hard on her sister, who ran away to
join the army when she was 18. She said her sister accused step-father of
attempting to have sex with her but she doesn't believe it. Her mother said it wasn't
true, "And besides, he never tried to touch me."
3.
Education
Graduated high school
4.
Employment
Not currently employed. Past employment include fast food preparation and
working at a car wash. She said she had never lost a job due to alcohol or drug use.
5.
Legal Status past/present
She has been arrested for assault, worthless checks, larceny, and in 2008,
possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She has never had
a DWI.
6.
Marital Status/Functioning
She has never been married.
Nana A. Mireku-Boateng
7.
Mental Illness History
She said she has never had counseling for life issues, been suicidal, homicidal or
had
hallucinations.
8.
Chemical Dependency History
She started smoking cigarettes and drinking on weekends at the age of 14. After
her first
child was born when she was 15 years old, she began to smoke marijuana
occasionally.
When she was 18, she experimented with cigarettes dipped in PCP ("sherm"). She
liked it immediately and started using it whenever she had the money, almost every
weekend, even during her pregnancy. Her second child was born PCP positive the
summer after she graduated H.S. At age 20 she "got busted with some weed" and
states she was dealing marijuana at the time to get money for cocaine. She
experimented with inhalants, mushrooms and speed in her early twenties but didn't
use them often. She claims that she has not used PCP since her baby was born and
that she has only smoked marijuana about 5 times. She said she hasn't been drunk
in years and only rarely has a beer if friends are drinking. She denied having
shakes, achy bones, blackouts, night sweats, or hallucinations through the use of
alcohol or drugs.
9.
Treatment/Intervention
She attended NA weekly for 4 months in early 2010, as ordered by the court,
subsequent
to her drug charges. She did not continue to attend and never worked with a
sponsor.
10.
Prognosis Strengths/Needs
Ms. Redd identified her mother and her boyfriend as her main support system. She
does not see CPS as a support but stated that after court last week she understands
she will have to work with them to get her baby back. She seems highly motivated
to be reunited with her child. This may provide her with motivation to seek and
complete treatment.
11.
Recommendations
It is my recommendation that Ms. Redd enter Fresh Start or another mother/baby
in-patient program where she can be reunited with her child immediately. She said
she didn't want to leave town or be away from her boyfriend that long. Ms. Redd is
in denial about the level of her addiction. She should at least enter our agency's
pre-treatment program for women. I administered a drug screen today and
recommend random tests for the next 3 months. If she uses PCP again, either inpatient or intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment is recommended.
12.
Provisional Diagnosis
PCP Dependency. R/O: Dependent Personality Disorder
Signature: Grace Hanker, MS, CCAS
INTERVIEWS:
Nana A. Mireku-Boateng
Nana A. Mireku-Boateng
Excellent idea to make sure you're getting accurate medical information on this
case since Mariah had a high-risk birth. The doctor's office may not be willing to
immediately share information with you because of HIPPA guidelines, but if you
share your paperwork appointing you to this case, you should be able to access
medical records.
Lela Jones, Maternal Grandmother:
We'll have to make this a fairly quick meeting. I'm on my lunch hour and my boss
really does keep tabs on how long our breaks are.
You asked some questions on the phone, but I didn't have too much time to talk.
Sorry about that. But yes, in my house we have me and my husband Charles, my
daughter Clarissa and Clarissa's son, Buddy. Clarissa was only 15 when she had
Buddy and she still acts young, so they're more like brother and sister. But Buddy
knows who his mom is. He also understands that in our house, Charles and I are
the ones in charge. When she was pregnant, Clarissa swore she'd be a
responsible mother, but after a month or two, she went back to playing around.
She did graduate high school while I raised Buddy. Sometimes she'd try to pull rank,
sometimes she'd even leave home with Buddy for a few weeks at a time. It really
wasn't good for Buddy, so I finally went through social services to get legal custody.
Buddy's smart, he gets very good grades in school. He goes to church with me on
Sundays and he's in the children's chorus he began doing praise dancing this year.
I'm proud of him. He'll get into scrapes at school from time to time boys will be
boys. He doesn't really have many father figures around. His own dad left the
state when Clarissa got pregnant. He was older and had no desire to stay with
Clarissa or be a real man when he found out she was pregnant. Charles leaves the
kids alone mostly, kids aren't his thing. He works too hard to be playing around.
But he's a good provider for our house. He's the reason our life is as good as it is
right now.
Charles came along after my divorce, when Clarissa was seven and my other
daughter, Sierra was ten.
My Response:
Do you think it would be all right if I spoke with Mr. Jones at some point? Would you
be able to tell me the best way to reach him?
Volunteer Supervisor Feedback:
Though there is some hesitation to put you in contact with her husband, it is a good
idea to get a more complete picture of what's happening by speaking with as many
sides of the story as possible. In addition, it's respectful to refer to people with
formal titles (such as Mr. Jones) until you've been invited to address them more
informally with first names.
Kim Ellis, CPS Worker (ATTEMPT II)
Hello, you've reached the desk of Kimberly Ellis. I'll be in the office all week. If this
is an emergency, please hang up and dial 9-1-1. If you need to speak with someone
immediately, please call my supervisor, Susan Givens. If you'd like to leave a
Nana A. Mireku-Boateng
message, please do so after the tone and I'll try to return your call as soon as I
return. BEEP.
After leaving a message, you get a call back within the hour.
Hi, I'm returning your call. As to the questions you left on the voicemail: No,
Clarissa has not been back in treatment since she left Fresh Start against medical
advice. I worked very hard to get her and Mariah together into Fresh Start. It killed
me when she checked out.
Clarissa was completely out of contact for a few months, but she's resurfaced at her
mother's house. She called recently to request visitation. I don't see that
happening until she gets back into a substance abuse treatment program. I'd also
like to see a psychological evaluation on this one. But we don't have agreed orders
about services right now because Clarissa is so far out of compliance.
Mariah is doing great in her foster placement. Her health is so good. I really think
the primary plan at this point is for adoption with her foster mother if Clarissa can't
get it together.
As to your last question, I'm not sure about Charles Jones. I've never met him, but
I'll keep an eye out for him the next time I visit the home.
My choice:
What's happening with Clarissa's service plan? It looks like there are some orders in
place and Clarissa isn't in compliance. Have you been able to connect her with any
service providers?
Volunteer Supervisor Feedback:
Several of your primary responsibilities include monitoring progress toward the
service plan and trying to be sure family members have access to the services they
are required to complete. Checking in with the social worker to ensure she's been
providing adequate information about services to the birth family can help keep the
case moving forward.
My choice:
What are your thoughts on moving Mariah to the home of Sierra Redd Thomas and
her husband?
Volunteer Supervisor Feedback:
Collaborating with the social worker, even if you have different ideas on what
ultimately is in the best interest of the child, is key.
My choice:
Thanks Kim for getting back to me. This is helpful. You sound busy I'll let you go,
but I'll plan to wrap around with you by phone or e-mail next week.
Volunteer Supervisor Feedback:
Nana A. Mireku-Boateng
If you have more questions to ask, be sure to ask them. Remember, a week may
not be a long time for you, but for a child in foster care, the longer the case goes
on, the longer the child is without permanency.
Clarrisa Redd, Mother:
Yes, I did leave Fresh Start. They weren't happy with me, but it was pretty easy. I
just had to sign a few papers, they said it was "AMA" something medical advice.
Against! Against medical advice. I really can't stand being in places like that.
Talking about my feelings individually. Then in a group. Then individually again.
Seriously, I just want my daughter back. I don't have a problem. I'll take their drug
tests. I'll get a job. But let me have my baby back.
Once I have Mariah back, I'll start to put the other things in place. I'll get a job.
Then I can get my own place, too. Honestly, I've been applying for things but I can't
get an interview anywhere. This economy is terrible.
I'm doing what's right for me right now. I'm not seeing Johnny any more. I'm going
to the NA meetings over at The Armory. I don't have a sponsor yet, but I'm going.
You can call them if you don't believe me.
I've had the substance abuse evaluation that Kim insisted I take. Why she made
me go there, I'll never know. They don't know anything about me. They can't say
what kind of person I am after only an hour or so. Apparently some drug test there
said I tested positive. I'm not using right now. Maybe I'll smoke a little when I'm at
a friend's house I don't have a job and I don't have to pay for it when I'm at his
place, but I'm not using sherm or whatever they said I was doin'.
I went to the parenting classes. It's cool and all, but I already know how to be a
parent. The teacher was nice. But I don't really have a chance to be a parent. Kim
is only letting me visit once every other week and it's not enough and it's not fair.
My choice:
What's your plan to get in compliance with the court orders to get Mariah back?
Volunteer Supervisor Feedback:
You've posed a non-judgmental, open-ended question which can open the door for
Clarissa to offer her own thoughts.
My choice:
Until Mariah is able to come home to you, are there any other family members you
think she could be placed with?
Volunteer Supervisor Feedback:
If a child must be removed from the home, then placing that child with appropriate
relatives is the number one goal. Appropriate is key. Placing the child with the
maternal grandmother in this case, as Clarissa is desiring, probably wouldn't be
feasible since the child was removed from Clarissa's care and Clarissa currently
resides with the maternal grandmother.
My choice:
Nana A. Mireku-Boateng
Why don't you get in touch with Kim and speak with her about increasing your
visitation?
Volunteer Supervisor Feedback:
To the fullest extent possible, your role is to facilitate contact and services between
the child, her family, her caregivers and service providers. Encouraging and
empowering the family and caregivers to take direct action (as opposed to you
making those calls for them) is an important way to have them take ownership over
the situation
Sierra Redd Thomas, Maternal Aunt:
Hi, thanks for meeting me at my house. Things are pretty busy, I'm babysitting for
my 4 year old niece and she and my son are around here somewhere, playing. I
really need to watch them, so we'll have to make this a quick meeting if that's all
right with you.
I've been married for about five years now. My husband and I met when we were in
the Army. He's still in, making a career of it. Just back from active duty. I got out
after four years when I got pregnant. It was great, but I just decided to be a stay at
home mom while Antoine is still young.
I basically enlisted in the Army when I was 18 in order to get away from home. My
mother, Lela, was fine, but her husband, Charles, used to make sexual advances on
me when he started drinking. It happened more than once and honestly it got to
the point that I was scared he'd eventually assault me. And when I mentioned it to
my mom, she got upset and took his side.
I really don't get why Clarissa keeps living there. I've been worried about her for a
long time, ever since she had Buddy. Some people just can't get their act together.
I love my sister, but after trying for years, I'm not sure what else I can do to help.
I'm not ready, my family isn't ready for her to come live here and all the craziness
that would introduce to our home.
Mariah's a different story. If there's no place else for her to go, I could see her living
here. I definitely wouldn't want to see her in foster care. I'm pretty sure my
husband feels the same way. For now, I'm not going to say anything to my mother
or sister about this. I'd appreciate if you didn't say anything either. This is all
confidential, right?
Thanks again for dropping by. The kids sound like they're going crazy. I should
probably get back to watching them.
My choice:
That's wonderful that you'll consider being a placement option for Mariah. Two
things I'll suggest to you: be sure you and your husband are on the same page, and
if that's the case, then please call Kim Ellis. She's the social worker on this case,
and she'll want to know you're interested.
Volunteer Supervisor Feedback:
Nana A. Mireku-Boateng
It's definitely important that she confirms that her husband is on the same page as
she is regarding placement. If that's the case, then it's totally appropriate to
connect her with the social worker in order to explore next steps.
My choice:
I'll do my best to limit the amount of information I share with your mother or sister,
but the truth is that anything that's said to me may make it into a court report. I'm
not going to share what you say unnecessarily, but if some of the information you
do share will serve in Mariah's best interest, I'll have to share it with others if it's
appropriate.
Volunteer Supervisor Feedback:
That's a very clear explanation of your responsibility with information that others
share.
Carlton Buddy Redd, Half-Brother:
Oh, hey. Yeah, I heard about you, what you do. Im Buddy. I guess you want to
know a little about me. Im in the fifth grade at Hardy elementary school. I just
made the honor roll. Again. And I play basketball.
Oh jeez, was grandma talking about church? Yes, I do go to church with her on
Sundays. I liked the choir, but now she has me doing that spirit dancing, too.
This? No, nobody hit me. I got this in basketball practice. No, coach didnt see it
happen. Why did I keep playing? Any time you watch a sport on tv basketball,
football, whatever. The announcers always say that the best athletes play through
their injuries.
Mr. Charles? Hes here. He's all right. He just wants me to stay out of trouble. I
guess you can talk with him if you really want to. Or you can just leave me your
phone number and I'll have him call you. He's really busy right now.
My choice:
Look Buddy, I know you might be a little nervous talking with someone you just met.
But my role as a volunteer advocate is to protect children. If there's anything you
need to tell me about that black eye, that's one of the reasons that I'm here.
Volunteer Supervisor Feedback:
Buddy is the first person you've met during this visit, so it's natural to want to
speak with him. But you haven't gotten anyone's permission to speak with this
child. When that's the case, you should make sure you speak with an adult first.
My choice:
Actually, I would like to speak with Mr. Jones. Thanks for giving me a few minutes,
Buddy.
Volunteer Supervisor Feedback:
If you have some questions, find a way to be sure you ask those questions and get
the information you need in as timely a manner as possible. Keep in mind that
Nana A. Mireku-Boateng
expediency is important - a week may not be much time for you, but an additional
week without permanency for a child is another matter.
Charles Jones, Step-Grandfather
{dialog missing forgot to transfer information from online module}
My choice:
Hello Mr. Jones. I'm a CASA/GAL volunteer that's been assigned to work on a case
involving Mariah and Clarissa Redd. I spoke with your wife recently and she gave
me permission to speak with you. Could I have a few minutes of your time?
Volunteer Supervisor Feedback:
This was a good, concise but complete introduction to your role. In addition, you
were sure to extend the courtesy of addressing Mr. Jones with a more formal title as
a sign of respect when first meeting him. This is a good habit to be in, you can
always wait for interviewees to invite you to use more familiar ways of addressing
them (such as by their first name).
My choice:
I see that you're busy and this should only take a couple of minutes of your time. I
can come back if you'd like. I'm working on behalf of Clarissa's new baby. That's
my only interest. But I can come back if you'd like.
Volunteer Supervisor Feedback:
Mr. Jones clearly isn't going to be patient with this interview process. Being
respectful at every turn will be your best way to have a successful interview.
Offering a more complete explanation of your role and your sole interest is
important for any interview.
Willy and Pearl Monroe (First Contact)
Welcome to our home. Come on in. You kept calling us Mr. and Ms. Monroe on the
phone. Please call us Willy and Pearl.
Tyrone is next door playing with a friend. He's Mariah's half-brother, I guess. Willy
is his father, Clarissa is the mother. Right? That makes them half-siblings?
Anyways, Clarissa seemed all too happy to sign Tyrone over to Willy and I. Which
was fine. I can't have my own children.
Clarissa really is a mess. We see her from time to time around town, almost always
with a different guy. Technically, I guess she's with" Mariah's dad, Johnny. He's a
dealer. I'm not out to get Clarissa. I don't hold a grudge against her for hooking up
with Willy when we were already together. But she really is a mess.
My choice:
I'm asking this question of all family members since it's generally preferable to
place a kid with family as opposed to have the kid linger in foster care. If it came
down to it, do you think you'd be interested in providing a home for Mariah for a
while?
Response:
We really wish we could help you out, but we're already too busy as it is.
Nana A. Mireku-Boateng
Nana A. Mireku-Boateng
I'm asking this question of all family members since it's generally preferable to
place a kid with family as opposed to have the kid linger in foster care. If it came
down to it, do you think you'd be interested in providing a home for Mariah for a
while?
Response:
We could probably afford to have one more in our home. Though I'm not sure
Charles would be thrilled with the idea.
Volunteer Supervisor Feedback:
Exploring all potential family placements is an important strategy in trying to keep
a child out of foster care and to maintain familial and cultural ties. Even if this
particular set of family members isn't an appropriate placement, they can still assist
the caregiver with knowledge about family customs and traditions as well as
provide visitation to maintain family ties.
Sierra Redd Thomas, Maternal Aunt (SECOND CONTACT)
Thanks for calling. I gave Kim Ellis a call last week to express my interest in taking
Mariah in to our home. I have to tell you, Ms. Ellis wasn't the friendliest person in
the world. I couldn't tell if she was annoyed that I called or annoyed that she had to
do her job.
Anyways, yes, we really want Mariah to be with her kin. And if we take her, it will
be a total commitment. We're only interested in adoption. Not guardianship. Not
custody. Honestly, I don't trust my family and I don't want future legal hassles over
this issue.
We're willing to come visit Mariah whenever the social services agency is ready for
us. The entire family will come. Except maybe my husband if he deploys again.
My Choice:
None of the responses were appropriate
Kim Ellis, CPS Worker (THIRD CONTACT)
<E-mail>
I know you mean well. Thanks for all the work and time you're putting in to this
case. I bet you've probably been trained on the theory behind the importance of
children being with family if possible. But honestly, you're role isn't to "play social
worker," you're role really is to look out for the best interests of the child. Don't you
think Mariah, who's now quite bonded with Ms. Budd, would be better off staying
where she is? Can you honestly tell me that you think she'd be better off being
placed with people she doesn't know, with a high probability of being placed back in
the system within a year? Seriously, if you've paid attention to the news you'd be
as concerned about a return home to family as I am. Over the past several years,
several states have been raked over the coals in the news for returning children
home only to have the children turn up dead within weeks of reunification.
GENOGRAM (in order of how I filled in the boxes available)
Charles Jones Lela Jones XXX
Unknown | Pearl Monroe Willy Monroe // Clarissa Ann Redd Johnny Smith
Carlton Buddy Redd | Tyrone Monroe | Mariah
Nana A. Mireku-Boateng
RECOMMENDATIONS
Placement Plan
CASA recommends that Mariah remain in current foster care placement with Julia
Budd with visitation with mother, on the condition that her mother, Clarissa,
complete substance abuse counseling, rehabilitation and parenting classes
successfully. Additionally, CASA recommends that Clarissa's sister, Sierra Redd
Thomas be fully evaluated and examined as a possible permanent placement.
Permanency Plan
CASA recommends that Mariah remain in her current placement with her foster
mother, Julia Budd, with possible visitation with mother, Clarissa, upon successful
completion of substance abuse counseling and rehabilitation courses and parenting
class. In the event that Clarissa successfully completes the previously mentioned
conditions, reunification may be possible with further examination of the home to
determine if it is a safe and stable environment (concerns about Charles Jones &
Carlton Redd).
Additionally, CASA recommends that visitation and home study examination begin
for Mariah to possibly be permanently placed with her maternal aunt, Sierra Redd
Thomas.
If home assessment is successful, CASA recommends adoption by Sierra Redd
Thomas and termination of parental rights for Clarissa Redd.
Services for Father
Mariah's father is unknown.
The alleged father, Johnny Smith, had negative paternity test results indicating that
he is not Mariah's father.
No services may be rendered at this time with the information on hand.
Services for Mother
CASA recommends the following services for Mariah's mother, Clarissa Redd:
Parenting classes, substance abuse rehabilitation and counseling, sporadic and
ongoing drug tests, anger management classes, general psychological counseling,
and supervised visitation with Mariah upon successful completion of the services
above, prior to Mariah's adoption (if adoption occurs).
Services for Child
CASA recommends the following services for Mariah: medical monitoring for
potential health issues and abnormalities associated with fetal drug exposure, and
later if appropriate an educational assessment for children affected by fetal drug
exposure.
If necessary, a psychological counseling evaluation before final adoption
proceedings (if Mariah is old enough).