Case Vignette – Competence

Description

Read the case vignette below and respond to the following questions (400 word minimum – 8 points)

1) Use your favorite internet search engine to explore what preparation Neal needed to become a school social worker in Ohio. Now look at what preparation is needed in TN?

2) What areas of competence does Neal need to demonstrate to be an effective school social worker?

3) As a school social worker for the school district in Dayton, what are Neal’s priorities when confronted with the situation he is facing with Victoria?

4) What immediate short-term steps Neal should take to address the situation he finds at Victoria’s home? Long term interventions?

Case Vignette: Neal Powers

Background

Neal grew up in Indiana. His father worked at a tire factory. His mother worked part-time as a bookkeeper at an auto parts supply warehouse. He, his two sisters, and his parents lived in a middle-class neighborhood. They attended public high school where Neal excelled. He played defensive back for the football team, participated as a member of the debate club, and earned good grades. He graduated as one of the top five students in his class.

Before graduation, Neal earned admission offers to several different universities. He chose to attend a private Christian university in Ohio. Although his parents could not afford the tuition, he earned a generous scholarship from the university to help defray some of the costs because of his good grades in high school. Church life was very important to him and his parents. They were thrilled when they learned he earned the scholarship to the university. Neal chose to major in social work because he wanted to help people. He views becoming a social worker as a good fit with how he wants to live out his beliefs. Four years later, Neal graduated with his social work degree. A year later, he completed his MSW degree. He started work as a school social worker in Dayton, Ohio, two weeks after graduation.

The Context

Neal is one of several school social workers employed by a large school district in Dayton. He has an office at the two different schools. He rotates his time at one of the middle schools and at the largest high school in the city. He is responsible for providing direct and indirect services when he receives referrals from school administrators, parents, and teachers. He is also the liaison with community agencies that work with children in their schools. He spends significant time at work conducting home visits, parent interviews, and developing plans with families to ensure children are coming to school.

The Situation

Neal arrived to work early as usual. He grabbed a cup of coffee, greeted teachers in the faculty lounge, and then headed to his mailbox. Teachers and school administrators place referral forms in his mailbox when they need his assistance. There were eight referrals for him this morning. He looked through the stack and noticed another referral for Victoria Sterling. Victoria missed several days of school at the beginning of the previous semester. Neal had to meet with the family, visit the home, and develop a plan for her to attend school as expected. She did well the semester. Victoria has now missed five days in just the first two weeks of school.

Neal called the home several times. No one answered. Remembering how difficult it was to get hold of Victoria and her mother last time, he decided to drive over to the house to visit with them. His last visit was useful as he worked with Victoria’s mother to make a plan to get her to school.

The drive took him less than 10 minutes. Victoria lives in a small three- bedroom home with her mother, two sisters, and three brothers. At sixteen, Victoria is the oldest child in the family. Her siblings range in age from six months to thirteen years of age. Her mother supports the family with a mix of public assistance, child support from one of the fathers, and help from her parents. Her mother has a history of alcohol and drug addiction. A few years ago, the children had to go live with her parents as she completed an in-patient treatment program to satisfy a plea bargain she made to avoid going to jail after her third arrest for public intoxication and disorderly conduct.

Neal rang the doorbell. A few minutes later, Victoria opened the door to greet him. She opened the door just enough to peak out too see him. When she recognized Neal, she opened the door, started to cry, and rushed to give him a hug. “Please help us,” she said. She swung the door open to walk him inside the home. As soon as he walked in, he could see the house was a disaster. The kids looked as if they had not bathed in a couple of days. The house smelled of urine. Victoria told Neal her mother is sleeping in the other room. She told Neal, her mother just got home a few hours ago. She had been gone the three nights. When she got home, Victoria had to help her get out of her clothes and get into bed. Victoria has been home taking care of her brother and sisters. She has no phone so she could not contact anyone. Victoria told Neal they are running out of food and have no money. Neal looked around, checked out all of the children, and then thought about what he needed to do next.