BP 3 Scenario

Sara a mother of 2 children, ages 2 months and 4 years old has recently entered into your FTC. Sara identifies as a Black woman and her children are Black as well. The biological father of both children is currently in another state and is not a viable placement for the children, so they are residing with Sara’s mother. Treatment reports that Sara is fully engaged and is working well in one on ones with her treatment provider. She has also been present and interactive in family time, and is overall meeting all of her plan goals. However Sara can be argumentative and angry in court. She is often quiet, rarely makes eye contact with the Judge or her lawyer, and shakes her head as her social worker and the attorney for DCYF are talking. She has mentioned that she feels like FTC is “out to get her” and that she knows she “can’t trust the court.” 

  • Discuss what, if any, cultural issues might be present here. 
  • Discuss what, if any, trauma issues might be present here.
  • Look at this from Sara’s perspective, how might she see this situation differently than the members of your team?
  • Discuss a response to this behavior that is in line with the best practice standards and any issues you have noticed above.
  • What are some trauma-responsive practices you could put into place to make Sara feel comfortable? Could you put any of these into place now?

 

BP 7 scenario

Amber successfully completed long term inpatient treatment three weeks ago and returned to the community. Her children (ages 8 months and 2 ½ years) are on a Trial Return Home (they were placed with her while she was inpatient).  Amber is struggling to attend all of her services and feels overwhelmed. She just passed her 6 month sober date. Although Amber has provided all random UAs (results negative), she is not making all of her outpatient groups. Amber is supposed to attend two sober supports/week and didn’t turn in any slips.  

  • What might be the underlying cause of Amber’s attendance/compliance struggles?
  • Identify the specific behavior(s) we are helping Amber to change (hint, there are more than one)
  • What therapeutic response might support Amber’s continued success?
  • Are there other responses you’d like to suggest for Amber?