Family Assessment Handbook An Introductory Practice Guide to Family Assessment

by Thomlison, Barbara

• ISBN13: 9780495090960
• ISBN10: 0495090964
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-25
• Publisher: CENGAGE Delmar Learning

Summary

THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT HANDBOOK is a basic practice guide for social work students and beginning human service professionals of "how to" do a family assessment for case intervention. It is based on person-environment (or, family systems) theory, drawing from evidence-based research for guiding practice decisions. This practical book presents the interplay of social work concepts, values, and skill dilemmas presented using case studies from the author's practice experience. By developing a "family journal," students can apply family systems thinking, theory, and concepts. The book is conceptualized as three teaching and learning units: Part One addresses the family systems assessment model; Part Two focuses on self-assessment and critical thinking through exploring the student's family system; and Part Three includes four case studies that illustrate the text's concepts.

Table of Contents

Foundations for Family Assessment and Intervention
The Context for Family Work	p. 1
Family Defined	p. 2
Family Context	p. 3
Beliefs, Preferences, and Facts	p. 4
Personal Beliefs	p. 4
Family Beliefs	p. 5
Professional Beliefs	p. 6
Practice Setting Beliefs	p. 6
Legal Requirements	p. 7
Maintaining Ethical Standards	p. 7
Ethical Decision-Making Protocol	p. 7
Confidentiality Concerns	p. 8
Summary	p. 10
Learning Activities	p. 11
A Framework for Understanding the Family	p. 13
Families and Environments	p. 14
Getting Started	p. 14
Family Engagement	p. 15
Guiding Principles of Assessment	p. 16
Approaches to Using Evidence-Based Assessment	p. 17
Elements of Assessment	p. 18
Purpose of Assessment	p. 18
The Assessment Process	p. 19
The Framework	p. 19
Assessment Tools	p. 20
Writing the Assessment Report	p. 22
Summary	p. 22
Learning Activities	p. 23
Assessing Your Family and Critical Thinking	p. 25
Assessing Your Family Experiences	p. 25
Journal Writing	p. 26
Why Critical Thinking?	p. 26
How to Start Writing a Journal	p. 27
What Will You Learn?	p. 27
Learning Activities	p. 28
Family Assessment and Intervention
The Family System	p. 33
Family	p. 34
Theoretical Basis for Family Assessment	p. 35
Key Assumptions	p. 35
Key Concepts	p. 36
Family Development	p. 41
Stages	p. 41
Tasks	p. 42
Attachments	p. 43
Family Structure	p. 43
Family Culture	p. 43
Family Beliefs	p. 45
Family Traditions and Rituals	p. 45
Family Functioning	p. 47
Summary	p. 49
Learning Activities	p. 49
Intergenerational Family Systems	p. 51
Developmental Issues	p. 52
Social Support and Engagement in the Community	p. 52
Changes in Physical and Mental Health	p. 52
Declining Functional Abilities	p. 53
Retirement	p. 53
Widowhood	p. 53
Assessing Families Life Using the Life Course Perspective	p. 54
Transitions and Trajectories	p. 54
Decision-Making Authority	p. 54
Caregiving for a Frail and Dependent Elder	p. 56
Facilitating Residential Transitions for Older Adults	p. 57
Managing Multiple Work-Family Obligations	p. 57
Engaging Older Adults in Intergenerational Family Assessment	p. 57
Evidence-Based Intervention Strategies	p. 58
Summary	p. 58
Learning Activities	p. 59
Family Assessment	p. 61
Preparation for the Assessment	p. 61
Assessment Approaches	p. 62
Tools for Collecting and Organizing Clinical Data	p. 63
The Family Interview	p. 63
Mapping and Graphic Tools	p. 66
Self-Report Tools	p. 75
Teaching and Role-Play Tools	p. 77
Issues of Concern	p. 78
Culturally Sensitive Assessment	p. 78
Selecting Dimensions for Assessment	p. 78
Summary	p. 79
Learning Activities	p. 80
Evidence-Based Family Interventions	p. 83
Developing an Intervention Plan	p. 84
Selecting Realistic Goals	p. 85
Focusing on Solutions	p. 85
Focusing on Family Strengths	p. 85
Changing Cognitions	p. 86
Changing Affective Factors	p. 87
Changing Behavioral Factors	p. 87
Creating Opportunities	p. 88
Selecting Interventions	p. 89
Parent and Family-Based Strategies	p. 90
Changing Boundaries	p. 91
Evidence-Based Family Interventions	p. 91
The Family Assessment Report	p. 92
Summary	p. 93
Learning Activities	p. 93
Linking Assessment and Intervention	p. 95
Selecting Measures to Use	p. 95
Individualized Measures	p. 95
Standardized Measures	p. 96
Guidelines for Using Measurement Tools	p. 96
Measuring Common Family Problems	p. 97
Family Functioning	p. 98
Child Problems	p. 98
Parent and Marital Problems	p. 98
Evaluating Family Change	p. 100
Summary	p. 102
Learning Activities	p. 103
Practicing Family Assessment: Case Studies
The Del Sol Family: Marital Conflict and Parenting Concerns	p. 105
Case Study Activities	p. 105
Writign an Assessment Report	p. 105
Family Interview-Role-Play for Assessment and Planning	p. 106
The Del Sol Family	p. 107
Referral Route	p. 107
Family Composition	p. 107
The Del Sol Family Genogram	p. 108
The Family System	p. 108
Family Background Information	p. 109
Family Strengths and Challenges	p. 109
Intervention Planning	p. 110
Assessment Tools	p. 110
Contract	p. 111
The McCoy Family: Coping with a Mother's Death and Role Change	p. 113
Case Study Activities	p. 113
Family Assessment Report	p. 113
Family Interview-Role-Play	p. 113
Family Needs	p. 114
Case Study: The McCoy Family	p. 114
Referral Route	p. 114
Family Composition	p. 114
The McCoy Family Genogram	p. 115
The Family System	p. 115
Family Background Information	p. 115
Developmental History of the Family	p. 116
Family Strengths and Challenges	p. 116
Assessment and Plan for Family	p. 117
Planning for Services	p. 117
The Yellowbird Family: Foster Care, Delinquency, and Transition to Independent Living	p. 119
Case Study Activities	p. 119
Discuss the Case	p. 119
Role-Play	p. 120
Case Study: The Yellowbird Family	p. 121
Referral Source	p. 121
Family Composition	p. 121
Family Background Information	p. 121
Placement Information	p. 121
Jason Yellowbird's Placement Sequence	p. 124
The Foxx Family: Physical Abuse, Aggression, and Parent - Child Management	p. 125
Study Activities	p. 125
Consider the Case	p. 125
Web Site Exploration	p. 126
Case Study: John Foxx	p. 126
Identifying Information	p. 126
Presenting Problem	p. 126
Assessment Plan for John Foxx	p. 128
The Sherman Family: Applying for Adoption	p. 131
Study Activities	p. 131
Assessment	p. 131
Discuss Attitudes, Beliefs, and Values	p. 131
Design an Adoption Support Group	p. 131
The Sherman Family: Home Assessment Report for Private Adoption	p. 132
Identifying Information and Personal History	p. 132
Family Dynamics and Community Relationships	p. 135
Home and Neighborhood	p. 136
Income	p. 136
Understanding of Adoption and Motivation	p. 136
Child Desired	p. 137
References	p. 137
Overview of Assessment Process	p. 137
Recommendation	p. 138
The Fernandez Family: Supporting an Older Adult	p. 139
Study Activities	p. 139
Case Study: The Fernandez Family	p. 140
The Jacques Family: Assessment and Intervention in Family Violence	p. 141
Study Activities	p. 141
Assessment	p. 141
Intervention	p. 142
Cultural Issues	p. 142
Case Study: The Jacques Family	p. 142
Reason for Referral	p. 142
Presenting Problems	p. 142
Family History	p. 142
La Torre Family: A Young Adult with Mental Illness	p. 147
Study Activities	p. 147
Psychoeducation Workshop Role-Play	p. 147
Case Activities for Written Assignments or Class Discussion	p. 148
Case Study: La Torre Family	p. 148
Referral Information	p. 148
Family Data	p. 148
Presenting Problem	p. 148
Family History	p. 149
Assessment and Treatment Information	p. 149
Sources of Information	p. 149
Assessment Instruments	p. 149
Intervention Selection	p. 150
Evidence-Based Intervention Strategy	p. 150
Measuring and Evaluating Change	p. 151
References	p. 153
Index	p. 159
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