Laura, Age 10, Continues to Struggle Academically, Though She Is Now Attending School On

Laura, age 10, continues to struggle academically, though she is now attending school on a regular basis since she has been in foster care for three months. She has a new set of clothes that fit her. Initially, Laura took pride in brushing her teeth and bathing regularly, but in the last six weeks, she has become defiant. Her foster parent is concerned that Laura sleeps long hours, that Laura usually falls asleep within a half hour after coming home from school and that she has much difficulty waking up. Her enuresis has increased to a nightly occurrence over the last month. Though she no longer hoards food in her room, her foster parent has noted that she is eating less food during mealtime. Laura also complains of stomachaches and feeling nauseous when she is informed of an upcoming visit with her mother.

During a recent home visit, the CSW spoke with Laura alone in the back yard. The CSW noted that Laura looked fatigued, made little to no eye contact, and spoke with a monotone voice. When asked about her placement, Laura began to cry and yelled that “I want to die…I want to just sleep forever”. Laura ran away from the CSW and locked herself in her room. After much negotiation through the locked door, Laura allowed the CSW into her room. Laura disclosed to her CSW that she has thought about killing herself at night when her foster parents are asleep, that she knows where the knives are kept, and that she has wanted to push the knife into her stomach when she cries at night. After much discussion, Laura admitted to hiding a knife under her bed, which the CSW removed.

Questions: Write the answers on the poster paper provided and choose one group member to present your answers.

1) What are the risk factors?

2) With whom will you (the CSW) consult and for what purpose?

3) What is the best intervention, based on the information that you have?

4) What follow-up is necessary?

Give an example of how you would document your observations using Strength-Based Language.