Identification of the client system
the family members to discuss are
Mother: LaJoe Rivers
Younger Son: Lafayette Rivers, 12 years old
Younger Son: Pharaoh Rivers, 9 years old
The Triplets: Tiffany, Tammy and Timothy
Father: Paul Rivers Sr.
Older Son: Paul Rivers Jr. 19
Older Son: Terence Rivers, 17
Older Daughter: LaShawn, 20
a. Identify the family-system; include demographic information and background information about the members of the family system.
II. How would you describe this family’s culture?
a. What are its communication patterns?
i. Are they (dis)similar to other families of the same culture?
b. Is there conflict between family members, and/or between the family and others in the community?
c. If so, what are the key areas of conflict and which entities are involved?
d. If you think there is no conflict, how did you come to that decision?
III. Assess the family-system-in-situation/environment:
a. The family’s and family member’s views:
i. Strengths: discuss in detail the family member’s view of their strengths, opportunities and resources, both within itself (internal) and within the environment (external).
ii. Needs and problems: discuss in detail the each family member’s view of needs and problems, both within itself (internal) and within the environment (external). How do the members prioritize these issues in order of importance?
iii. Would you involve each family member in the selection of these priorities? Why, why not?
IV. Other’s view:
a. Strengths: discuss how other people present the family (member’s) strengths, opportunities and resources, both within itself and environment.
b. Problems/needs: discuss in detail other’s view of the family’s needs and problems, both within itself (internal) and within the environment (external). How, if at all, do these people/reports prioritize the family’s problems/needs?
c. Would you involve these others in the selection of the priorities? Why, why not?
VI. Assessment summary and formulation – In this section you are to formulate your views of the family’s situation at this time. Here, you are using your “judgment,” but you are not being judgmental. (You might find the literature helpful here.)
a. Discuss your professional opinion as to who has the problems or needs (i.e., the family member(s), the program, the organization, or the community), what the problems are, and why the problems exist at this time.
b. Discuss your appraisal of the family’s potential for change in terms of your knowledge of needs, problems and strengths within the client and environment.