Supplemental Material for Day 2, Segment 11B

Case Scenarios: What Would You Do?

Case Scenario #1: David is 8 years old. To date, he has no clearly identifiable learning disabilities. Although he has a lot of friends at school, he claims to dislike going to school and “thinks it’s boring”. Historically, his academic grades and report cards have indicated average performance. His teacher observes the following: • Fidgets often with hands or feet; squirms while seated • Often runs, climbs, and leaves his seat in situations where sitting or quiet behavior is expected • Blurts out answers before hearing the whole question • Has difficulty waiting in line and taking turns • Interrupts others when they are speaking • Often is easily distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds • Often fails to pay attention to details and makes careless mistakes • Rarely follows instructions carefully and completely • Frequently loses or forgets things such as toys, pencils, books, and tools needed for a task • Often skips from one uncompleted activity to another

Common Core | Child & Youth Development: Trainer’s Guide | Version 1.2, 2012 1 Case Scenario #2: Samir, age 6, was moved to a foster home after a drug raid on his home where his parents were found with a methamphetamine laboratory. The parents were arrested. You get a call from Samir’s grandmother who is caring for him and she is very upset. She tells you that Samir started school today, but she was called to go meet with the teacher and principal. Samir is unable to comprehend the information that the teacher gives him and fights with other children on the playground. He cries when he is frustrated and when other children try to engage with him to do classroom work. He was fighting with the other children and ran around during the reading circle. He could not be redirected and refused to respond to the teacher. He would not play with the other children and wet his pants. He did not know his colors and threw a tantrum when the teacher tried to help him with them. Samir also did not know how to ride the tricycle.

Common Core | Child & Youth Development: Trainer’s Guide | Version 1.2, 2012 2 Case Scenario #3: Darius, age 18, has decided to stay in extended foster care as a non-minor dependent youth. When Darius was 10, he and his 3 siblings were placed in foster care because of his parents’ drug use. Darius was in the same foster home for many years, but when he turned 18 he left his long term placement and moved into a shared apartment nearby with two roommates. His plan was to attend community college to take classes toward an eventual degree in criminal justice.

You have just learned that Darius is no longer staying in his approved placement and has dropped out of school. He states he wants his case closed because he is tired of being in the system and feels like he can support himself with his job at a restaurant.

Common Core | Child & Youth Development: Trainer’s Guide | Version 1.2, 2012 3 Case Scenario #4: Timmy, age 6, is an extroverted little boy who has recently started exhibiting the following: • Frequent nightmares • Sophisticated sex play with other children • Rage when asked to do a simple task by the foster mother • Daydreaming in class

He has been in the same foster home for the last 3 years. It appears to be a stable environment and he has successfully bonded with the foster mother, his primary care provider.

Common Core | Child & Youth Development: Trainer’s Guide | Version 1.2, 2012 4 Case Scenario #6: You are an emergency response social worker and have just received a referral that says that the home contains health hazards that are dangerous to 6-month-old baby boy Jerry. When you arrive, you are relieved to find the mother and Jerry at home, and the home appears clean and safe. However, you notice that baby Jerry is just lying on the floor, not making any sounds or gestures. When you go down to the floor to play with him, he does not focus on your face or the toy in your hand. He does not grasp the toy when you offer it to him. When you ask the mother about Jerry, she tells you that he is a good baby. He gives her “no trouble” and hardly ever cries. Jerry appears to be of a normal weight and height for his age.

Common Core | Child & Youth Development: Trainer’s Guide | Version 1.2, 2012 5 Case Scenario #7: Eric is 15 years old. You get a phone call from a group home where Eric lives. Last night, he sneaked out of the house and was seen smoking and drinking alcohol with 4 or 5 boys at the local park. The police brought him home around 2 a.m. after finding him on the street, under the influence. Eric does not do well in school. This is most likely due to his poor attendance. When he is in school, he actually does quite well, unless there is a test. He gets very agitated when there is a test, and does not go to school that day. He responds to group home staff with an “I don’t care” attitude. He does not respond to reward or punishment. Eric has been in out-of-home care since age 4, and is in his 9th placement.

Common Core | Child & Youth Development: Trainer’s Guide | Version 1.2, 2012 6 Case Scenario #8: Petri is 18 months old. This is what you know about her: • She has just learned to walk. • She uses very few words. • She does not understand somewhat simple statements made by adults. • She has a wide forehead and wide-set eyes. • She is the friendliest kid at social functions and interacts with all the adults.

Common Core | Child & Youth Development: Trainer’s Guide | Version 1.2, 2012 7 Case Scenario #9: Adam is 14 years old and has recently been placed with a new foster family. You are Adam’s new social worker and are meeting him for the first time. He refuses to go to school and will not talk to his new foster family. Adam had been living with his biological maternal grandmother since he was 10 months old. His grandmother recently passed away and there were no other family members able to provide care for him. In the last two weeks, Adam has had to move, start a new school, say good- bye to his grandmother, and leave his neighborhood and friends.

Common Core | Child & Youth Development: Trainer’s Guide | Version 1.2, 2012 8 Case Scenario #10: Courtney is 3 years old. She was abandoned at birth and has been in the same foster home placement since that time. You have been assigned to Courtney’s case for the last two years. You feel that you have a good working relationship with the foster parents and Courtney is always happy to see you during your scheduled visits. Up to this point, she has seemed developmentally on track. Last month Courtney started attending preschool three days a week. Since that time she has begun regressing in her potty training activities, covering her ears during “circle time,” throwing toys, and displaying tantrum behaviors for no apparent reason.

Common Core | Child & Youth Development: Trainer’s Guide | Version 1.2, 2012 9