Choosing Healthy Relationships for Youth in Foster Care

Joseph Hynson Rasmussen University The Final Course Project Professor Emily Stevenson HUS 1632 section 01 Working with clients 12/16/2023

Choosing a Case and Healthy Helping Relationships Mack, who just turned 12 years old has been in foster care since age 6, arrives to XYZ Social Services for client services. He has not seen his mother in three years and does not know his father. At present, this is the 5 th foster home that Mack has been in. Mack is extremely shy and has had issues with his peers bullying him in the past. It is apparent that Mack has extremely low self-esteem and is extremely guarded in sharing information due to the constant transitions in his life. Upon greeting Mack, he'd given quick eye contact and hesitantly said "Hi" in return. As it is apparent that Mack is a youth in great need of assistance so that he may soon have a healthy and happier life, it is important that the system does not fail him but work efficiently so that he can become a self-sufficient adult someday, which is the reason I decide to take his case. There a quite a few plans that I would like to establish for Mack with the goal of getting him the best mental and essential care. Mack will be referred to counseling services to support his mental health needs. Many children who are placed into foster care have experienced different forms of trauma, with Mack being into foster care for as long and has not seen his mother in several years, it can be assumed that he is experiencing trauma. One of the questions that I have is if Mack's mother has neglected him or if she is not in his life for any other reason, however Mack may feel that he is neglected from being separated from his mother. I would like to review the history of the previous foster care home that Mack has been in and determine if there has been any abuse

present from any previous care givers. At this present moment, Mack may feel frightened as he is unaware of what is going on. ( HealthyChildren.org, 2020) . Mack is being bullied in school and it will be necessary to help him cope with it as this is another form of trauma. Bullying can range from teasing or physical harm, with the intent of tormenting in physical, verbal, or psychological ways. Mack will need to be immediately treated for the things he is going through at school. Properly treating this issue can help with giving Mack a sense of safety and help him learn his self-worth. It will be efficient if Mack were able to address his feelings towards bullying, preventing any serious harm on the future. ( Kids Health, n.d .). It will be of best interest when speaking to Mack that I use professional language with him by speaking calmly, keep eye contact with him, be aware of my posture, and ask him questions, some children will often express themselves with stories about what they do or don't like or about other people. It would be important to listen attentively and not assume too much on his situation. I would give Mack the assurance that I am here to help him and let him know that I would do everything that I can or to make sure that he enjoys life the way a child should, but I would speak to him at an age-appropriate level to where he understands. It would be necessary to refer Mack to counseling services once a week so that he may be able to get the proper psychological care that he needs. Meeting with a counselor on a consistent basis will develop a trust like relationship and will likely get Mack to open up about things more and to possibly help him to communicate with others around him as well. I will listen to see if Mack expresses the things that interests him such like hobbies or sports. Working with Mack's school would be necessary to see if he has any progression changes in his social behavior. ( Bright Futures, n.d.)

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Assessing and interpreting verbal and nonverbal communication

Verbal and Nonverbal Communication When engaging with clients the body possesses its own language. The way we sit and talk to clients, the indications we make, the way we dialogue, and how much eye contact we make with a clientage all non-verbal ways of communicating that influence the pieces of information our words a resending. Interpreting and assessing verbal and nonverbal communication can help you better read your client and understand their emotional state from a better perspective. Using strategies such as open-ended questions can help gather more helpful information about your client and the current situation they are facing. Challenges you may encounter as a human service professional is when you are able to analyze what a client is saying, but their verbal and nonverbal cues do not match how they are speaking. It is important to remember that verbal communication is statements made by your client about their thoughts, ideas, and feelings, while nonverbal communication is an act, that conveys what someone is thinking through physical gestures such as posture, facial expressions, and body language. Cultural differences create behavior and personality differences like body language, thinking, communication, manners, norms, etc. According to Hietanen, J (2015). Japan avoids eye contact to show respect, not every cultural look at communication the same. Kathy is very hesitating and is not opened to tell me her personal business due to the many changes that have happened in her life. Kathy body language speaks for itself; she has her arm crossed, slouched down in the chair, no eye contacted, and turning her body, the other way. Crossing arms is often a signal of strength, defensiveness, and confidence. It can also mean that a person may feel protective, as a protecting the body from the world using your arms. People who often cross their arms are usually thoughtful and serious and

are naturally very analytical. To help Kathy improve her communication skill, to allow her to feel safety enough to want to open to me. I could ask focused questions, before my session with Kathy I can start asking the right questions to get her to open. I need to be mindful of Kathy culture beliefs, by allowing Kathy to file out a about me sheet. I need to be more welcoming, especially known Kathy situation Shallcross, L (2013). I need to build a relationship with Kathy to get her to trust me, actively listen, listen to Kathy as she answers my question, I ask her to show her I am listen to what she is saying. Stay in touch is important with getting Kathy to trust me, I need to make sure to follow up with her by scheduling a follow up appointment to have her come back in my offices to go over what she been up to. I would allow here to come in my offices twice week so I can help her with finding housing and getting more information from her to make sure she is taking her insulin and seeing her doctor. To ensure that the messages I receive are accurate based upon what Kathy is says and what she does give me the right to look over my notes on what we have talked about in our session and when Kathy comes back for her follow up, I can take more notes to compare the two after our session. I will now have a paper trail of what Kathy had stated to be as well as her body language. I will also follow up with Kathy doctor to see how she is doing and is she still taking her insulin. These things will give me what I need to help Kathy with being a better communicator, I can address these behaviors by asking the same open ending question as I did on Kathy first session with me. If Kathy answers are the same, then I know there is an issue that needs to be fixed. I would also need to change my ways of what kind of question, I have asked Kathy because the questions I ask where not clear to Kathy.

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Environmental setting and interview questions

Environmental Setting and Interview Questions As a human service professional, it is important to create a warm and inviting office space to help ensure that your clients feel comfortable. When your clients feel comfortable and relaxed they are more likely to open up and talk to you. You also want to make sure that your office space is set up in a way to allow your client to fully participate in professional interactions. All of these factors are important in building a healthy helping relationship between you and your client. The first step in setting up a welcoming office space is to ensure that the lighting isn't too bright or harsh which can sometimes make a client feel like they are being put on the spot. On the other hand you also don't want the lighting to be so dim that it's hard to read or see each other. Having an office that has a dimmer light switch is always a great option as you can manually adjust the lighting to best fit your client's needs. The next thing I would do is to ensure that the seating in my office is cozy and angled at a position that allows you to occasionally break eye contact with the client so that they don't feel that you are staring them down. To make the office space feels homier and inviting I would add a rug, some inspirational pictures or art, and a few plants. I would also have a mini fridge in my office so that I could offer bottled water and snacks to any clients that may be in need of a drink or snack. I would set up a small space in my office with a few toys or a play table for client's that have children when they come in for a visit so that their children have something to help keep them busy. I would also have a candy dish on my desk filled with candy to help break the ice by offering the client a piece. By implementing this office setup, I believe that the client will feel welcomed which will help build a heathy helping relationship.

Interview Questions (Open and Close-Ended) Another important part of making you client feel more comfortable in the interviewing process is to ask a mix of open and close-ended questions. As a human services professional, it is important to collect as much information about the client and their case during the intake interview to ensure that they are set up with the correct services. Below I have listed five open-ended and five close-ended questions that I believe would be beneficial when interviewing Kathy. Open-Ended Questions: 1. What brings you in to see me today? 2. How long have you been dealing with this issue? 3. What changes have you made to improve your current situation? 4. What kind of housing or shelter are you seeking? 5. What do you hope to accomplish with me? Close-Ended Questions: 1. Are you employed or currently seeking out employment? 2. Is this the first time that you have experienced this problem? 3. Have you thought about furthering your education such as getting your GED? 4. Do you struggle with any mental health issues or suffer from suicidal thoughts? 5. Do you have any questions regarding our services?

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Case Management and Community-Based Resources

CASE MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY BASED RESOURCES shelters that offer multiple services, it would be very convenient for her as she can work on each different stressor in the same location. Another critical stressor that Kathy faces is her diabetes and neglecting to take her insulin as prescribed, which causes her stress. If she is not correctly taking her medication as prescribed, it can be difficult working with Kathy if she is too ill to participate in her treatment plan actively or needs hospitalization. Without taking her insulin, it can become challenging to maintain employment and to live independently. If we are able to locate and utilize a shelter that provides medical assistance or primary physicians, it not only assists with her homelessness but can provide professional help that can supply her with knowledge on properly taking insulin and how to maintain a schedule to do so. A great way to remember to take her insulin could include using a watch or setting the alarm on her phone so she has a guaranteed reminder. Once we are able to improve the two of the most critical stressors, we can then work on gaining higher education and seeking employment. I have found numerous shelters and services that assist every one of the issues that she is facing in one facility, making it very convenient for her to overcome these obstacles. Case management is more than looking for money from another entity; it also is the most practical way to ensure that a person receives the most individualized service and treatment plan possible (Summers, 2015). By

implementing adequate case management skills and utilizing community-based resources, Kathy can be assisted in improving her current situation to help turn it around. When she is able to use services that are referred to her through case managers, she has the ability to resolve her current issues and improve her life tremendously. By successfully handling Kathy's case and referring her to the correct types of services it will serve as a positive experience for her as she will witness all of the people who are here to help and assist her in becoming successful and in living independently. A case managers typical function is advocating for clients and support systems to recognize the importance of achieving quality results for their clients. Case managers commit themselves to the appropriate use of resources to empower clients in a supportive and objective manner. Effective case management is when the human service professional is able to assess their client's needs and coordinate services accordingly to support specific needs. Ensuring clients are utilizing all community-based resources that are referred to them is essential for them to be successful and improve their current stressors. By helping Kathy with all of her current stressors and providing her with various services to improve her situation we are implementing the proper case management skills and the use of external resources.

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Voluntary and Involuntary Client Resources

Voluntary and Involuntary Client Resources In society, clients are in a mixed bag of diversity. Clients come from various ethnicities, and although Human Services Professionals help with providing services to improve their life situations, some of your clients will not be open to intervention. There are some terms that the human services profession calls these types of clients. Voluntary clients are restorative clients that are ready and eager to work with a Human Services Professional to achieve their goals on improving their life circumstances. Involuntary clients are those clients who are doubtful about the restorative process while working with a Human Services Professional. Voluntary Clients Voluntary clients come to a Human Services agency eager to take part in working with a Human Services Professional and is inclined to receive help. Usually, voluntary clients have better end results. This is because they are participating and showing the inventiveness taken in every part of the mediation process. Not much convincing is required with a voluntary client. They usually talk about their deepest personal issues with a Human Services Professional they get positive end results to their problems. Since Human Services Professionals receive little uncertainty from a voluntary client, a Human Services Professional is frequently faced with the many challenges the most effective ways to work with involuntary clients. Involuntary Clients Working with deprived and strenuous populations was established when the Human Services profession first began. Involuntary clients are clients who are authorized to receive services at a

Human Services organization. These clients are recommended by the courts, a husband or wife, or a family member. Some involuntary clients can be tough to work with because they do not understand how to receive professional help. In other occurrences, involuntary clients can also be clients who are compelled to attend services created by their love ones. Regrettably, many stereotypes of assisting are based on the belief of an individual voluntarily looking for services and one who is inspired to rebuild their way of behaving. Long-term and Short-term Goals Change is not an easy task. Making enduring transformations to one's conduct is seldom a rapid process. How can we as Human Services Professionals aid clients to evolve positive changes that last? Honestly, many individuals can swiftly make quantifiable changes to their life situations. Many times, though, these fast gains do not continue. Regrettably, short-term gains are oftentimes lost at the end of the program and clients tend to form old habits. Clients tend to be back and forth between being on the right path and stuck where they once were are disheartening and disconcerting for clients, and it keeps them from accommodating meaningful, enduring changes to their lives. As Human Services Professionals, we specialize in helping individuals and other agencies reach an optimal level, giving our clients plans for bettering and improving their well-being, but that does not ensure success over a long-term period. For clients to be successful, they need to become proficient in their own progression toward a new way of behaving that supports conduct and behavioral changes. Rather than simply telling clients, here is what you need to do, we can thoroughly serve them when we assist them in finding the individual awareness,

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incentives, and goals that live within them. How do we accomplish this? Ask questions—mainly open-ended ones. Accommodate your plans to their individual goals. Create a strong and healthy helping relationship with your client. Here are three strategies for working with clients to make enduring behavior changes: 1. Use the Stages of the Change model  This model gradually shows your client's progress in small steps towards a big goal. 2. Turn goals into S.M.A.R.T. goals  S.M.A.R.T. goals are: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Bound  Every goal that a client makes should meet these standards. If a goal doesn't meet the S.M.A.R.T. goal standards, work with your client to make adjustments to the goals until it does. 3. Come up with ways to stay motivated  Encourage your clients to come up with ways to embrace certain strategies to improve motivation gives them resources that are close to them so they can emphasize on their S.M.A.R.T. goals. Encourage clients to speak truthfully about their worries for relapsing, and build from there. There's nothing like helping a client make the necessary changes for themselves. Utilizing these strategies can increase the probability of long-term effectiveness we want all of our clients to accomplish. Challenges of Assisting Clients with Accessing Resources and Services

Once your clients actively become involved in treatment, recognizing their issues becomes a prime concern. Many challenges may become apparent during treatment. Lapses may happen. Often, clients are not able or reluctant to stick to the program requirements. Repeated admittances to programs can happen. Clients may have inconsistent authorities from diverse service structures. Concerns about personnel and client relationships, including setting suitable boundaries, can compromise care. These resources and services need to have comprehensible decision making strategies and give dissertations to these situations.

After resolving Kathy's case effectively and referring directing her to the appropriate services will be beneficial for her, as she will Observe everyone present who is there to support and aid her in achieving success and leading a fulfilling life. separately. One of a case manager's regular responsibilities is to represent clients and support networks in acknowledge the significance of providing their clients with high-quality outcomes. Case managers make commitments themselves to the proper utilization of resources in order to empower consumers in a helpful and impartial manner in a way. When a human services practitioner can evaluate a situation effectively, their clients' requirements and adjust services to meet those needs. Making certain All community-based options that are recommended to clients are being used by them. Our area of expertise as human services professionals is assisting people and other organizations in achieving a maximum degree, providing our clients with strategies for enhancing and enhancing their well-being, but that does not guarantee sustained success in the long run. In order for clients to succeed, they must become adept at their own transition to a new behavior pattern that supports behavior as well as modifications in behavior.

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References Bright Futures. (n.d.). Communicating with Children . Retrieved from https://www.brightfutures.org/mentalhealth/pdf/families/ec/communicating.pdf HealthyChildren.org. (2020). Parenting After Trauma: Understanding Your Child's Needs . Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family- dynamics/adoption-and-foster-care/ Pages/Parenting-Foster-Adoptive-Child -After-Trauma.aspx Kids Health. (n.d.). Helping Kids Deal with Bullies . Retrieved from https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/bullies.html Hietanen, J (2015). Eye Contact Perception in the West and East: A Cross-Cultural Study. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4340785/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20in%20Jap anese%20culture,their%20peripheral%20vision%20%5B28%5D. Shallcross, L (2013). Body language. Retrieved from: https://ct.counseling.org/2013/07/body- language/. Miller, Ashley (June 29,2018) Social Work Interviewing Skills Chron https://work.chron.com/social-work-interviewing-skills-16544.html Stachelski, Deborah (March 9, 2018) 11 Chic Ways to Make Your Office Space Way More Inviting Society Letters http://www.societyletters.com/articles/11-chic-ways-to-make-your-office-space-way-more- inviting Summers, N. Fundamentals of Case Management Practice: Skills for the Human Services. [Bookshelf Ambassadored]. Retrieved from https://ambassadored.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781305893542/ Ungvarsky, J. (2019). Case management. Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health . Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.rasmussen.edu/login.aspx? direct=true&db=ers&AN=121772955&site=eds-live Obo. (2018, November 20). Retrieved December 10, 2018, from http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195389678/obo- 9780195389678-0005.xml

Challenges in Social Work Today. (2015, November 24). Retrieved December 10, 2018, from https://today.uconn.edu/2011/08/challenges-in-social-work-today/

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