Legal Case Discussion Questions

Within the ecosystems perspective, Patrick must be viewed within all external systems, to include extended family, peers, work, community, Children and Youth Services (CYS), PACT, the foster care system, and NA. Additionally, biological, psychological, and emotional dimensions must be considered.

In Patrick's case, each of these external systems are relevant to his attempts to obtain custody of his daughter. His parents are supportive which should be a positive influence but this appears to be overlooked and currently of little consequence. Information regarding peers is lacking. Patrick is unable to obtain full time employment which is negatively impacting his goal. CYS, PACT, and the foster care system are assisting in the care of the daughter. CYS assisted in the child being placed in protective custody, which was the first step in Patrick being able to have a relationship with his daughter, an initial attempt toward his overall custody goal. However, PACT and the foster care system are at this time both negatively influencing Patrick's efforts. The PACT worker appears to be biased against Patrick due to a history of substance abuse and possible mental health instability. The foster care parent is thwarting Patrick's efforts and attempting to provide evidence of his inability to parent his daughter.

. . .
target systems, to be addressed. As a more accurate portrayal of these systems is obtained, the problematic PACT and foster parent systems also need to be targeted. 3. Apply the five principles of strengths-based practice to the case. How does viewing the case from a strengths perspective differ from the child protective worker's perspective? Principles 1 of strengths-based practice is that every individual, group, family, and community has strengths. Clearly in this case, Patrick has demonstrated his strengths: he has consistently expressed his desire for and sought appropriate custody of his daughter, has maintained his decision to discontinue his substance use, and has utilized the support his parents offer. These strengths are not being adequately considered by the PACT worker. Principle 2 is that trauma, abuse, illness and struggle may be injurious, but they may also be sources of challenge and opportunity. This principle is also not being considered by the PACT worker. Patrick's history of substance use is viewed as a negative factor rather than a source of challenge and this factor is resulting in bias against him. Principle 3: assume that you do not know the upper limits of the capacity to grow and change, an
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Patrick Additional, CYS PACT, Human Relationships, NA Additionally, Code Ethics, Assess Patrick's, , social worker, Dignity Self-Worth, Social Justice, pact worker, foster care, foster parent, mental health, pact foster, history substance, custody daughter, psychological emotional dimensions, psychological emotional, worker appears, foster care system, pact foster care, biological psychological emotional, pact worker appears,
Approximate Word count = 1566
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

More Essays on Legal Case Discussion Questions