Explain the importance of using multiple evidence-based tools (including quantitative, open-ended, and ecologically focused) to assess Claudia. Explain how each complements the other in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the young client’s concerns and situation. Then, describe the use of an ecomap in assessment and explain the different systems you would account for in your assessment of Claudia.
Family Finding and Engagement Tools. (2020, March 10). How to make an ecomapLinks to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 7 minutes.
Walden University, LLC. (2022). Social work case studiesLinks to an external site. [Interactive media]. Walden University Canvas. https://waldenu.instructure.com
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Claudia
Claudia is a 6-year-old Hispanic female residing with her biological mother and father in
an urban area. Claudia was born in the United States 6 months after her mother and
father moved to the country from Nicaragua. There is currently no extended family
nearby, but Claudia’s parents have made friends in the neighborhood. Claudia’s family
struggles economically and has also struggled to obtain legal residency in this country.
Her father inconsistently finds work in manual labor, and her mother recently began
working three nights a week at a nail salon. While Claudia is bilingual in Spanish and
English, Spanish is the sole language spoken in her household. She is currently
enrolled in a large public school, attending kindergarten.
Claudia’s family lives in an urban neighborhood of low socioeconomic status with a
rising crime rate. After Claudia witnessed a mugging, her mother reported that she
became very anxious and “needy.” She cried frequently and refused to be in a room
alone without a parent. Claudia made her parents lock the doors immediately after
returning home and would ask her parents to check the locks repeatedly. When walking
in the neighborhood, Claudia would ask her parents if people passing were “bad” or if
an approaching person was going to hurt them.
Claudia had difficulty going to bed on nights when her mother worked, often crying
when her mother left. Although she was frequently nervous, Claudia was comforted by
her parents and has a good relationship with them. Claudia’s nervousness was
exhibited throughout the school day as well. She asked her teachers to lock doors and
spoke with staff and peers about potential intruders on a daily basis.
Claudia’s parents were initially hesitant to seek therapy services for their daughter due
to the family’s undocumented status in the country. The social worker met with
Claudia’s mother, Paula, and utilized the initial meeting to explain the nature of services
offered at the agency, as well as the policies of confidentiality. The social worker then
considered the assessments that might assist in getting to know Claudia, her family,
and the circumstances causing Claudia distress.
© 2022 Walden University, LLC. Adapted from Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social
work case studies: Foundation year. Laureate International Universities Publishing.