Using
a screening intake
As an aspiring social worker, I have been thinking
of ways that I can make the most impact working with families in the foster
care system. One of the major issues
that the system is dealing with presently is finding ways to reduce the overrepresentation
of African American children in the system. The overrepresentation of
African American children in the foster care system is serious problem that has
plagued the system and families affected for many decades. After reading and
reviewing several literature on this issue, I think one the ways of dealing
with the problem is to put into practice using preventive measures for families
that are encountering difficulties, but the real question is, how do we
identify these families before foster care intervention process starts? Once
children enter the foster care system the process becomes more like a quick fix
which does not really help the children, families or the foster care system.
How do we identify at risk families and children in
our communities? From my pervious blog, we know that poverty is one of the
factors that contribute to the cause of African American children in the foster
care system. Perhaps adding a screening process for families who apply for
federal benefits will help us identify at risk families earlier. While social
services intake forms usually focus on the financial aspects of why families
need federal assistance, the screening process aspect can focus on what is
working and what is not working for that family. In doing so, social workers
will be able to recognize other needs that put the family at risk and be able to provide them with
strength- based tools and resources. For example, it is fact that poverty
correlates with stress; therefore empowering families with de-stress techniques
such as free yoga classes or even modeling de-stress techniques such as
breathing exercises will help them
de-stress without becoming aggressive toward their children.
My question is, will it violate the privacy of individuals
seeking federal assistance to ask them on their screening intakes if they are aggressive
to their children or not?
