American History X Derek

Assignment Part 1: Culturally sensitive individual and family assessment (15% of final grade)
Each assessment will include the following information. (Section 1 and 2)
Total Length: 1015
double spaced pages. See rubric at the end. I strongly suggest you use the following (identifying
information, reason for referral, etc) as headings (check APA!)
Section 1
a. Identifying information: (Demographics (gender, ethnicity, age, location, contact information, work (or school), family,
prior interventions, home/living situation
b. Reason for referral/route of referral – How was the client referred to the agency (and social worker) and why
c. Source of data – What is this report based on? If interviews with the client contribute to this assessment on what dates,
where and who were they conducted with? If reports are from elsewhere or a compilation of sources, include. (partial list of
possible sources on p 173)
d. Presenting problem
What does client say is the reason they are there. What would others say, (if
referred by someone else) Include history of problem, prior attempts at solving problem.
e. Observations: physical appearance, hygiene/grooming, indication of organic problems, mood, or unusual habits.
Communication style of client, nonverbal
communication, how you and client relate. Emotional state of your client at time
of your meetings
f. Family background (information about family of origin, parents, siblings)
g. Current family situation/ family functioning and client’s significant others (significant relationships/household
composition) Social networks: family and friends, coworkers, etc, shortterm
or long term supporting or draining/conflictual.
Home environment: Conditions, hazards, supports, sources of stimulation, peace, conflict
h. Developmental history of client:
i. Early developmental history, childhood, adolescence
ii. Significant adult developmental issues education, relationships, parenthood? Divorces/separations? Losses?
i. History of trauma, Details of any abuse, violence substance abuse, traumatic losses etc.
j. Physical/behavioral
i. Physical functioning – health concerns, nutrition, home safety, illness, disabilities medication
ii. Mental Status (Addresses each of the bullet points below)
1) Intellectual functioning – (school performance, education)
2) Appropriateness of behavior
3) Orientation to person/time/place
4) Memory
5) Sensorium
6) Mood and affect
7) Thought content
8) Insight
9) Judgment
k. Psychological and emotional patterns
i. Defense mechanisms
ii. Selfconcept/
self esteem
iii. Struggles with mental health issues (diagnosis?)
l. Strengths, ways of coping and problem solving capacities
i. Coping Skills
1) with everyday life in the life cycle
2) with addiction or mental health problem
3) with physical disability
4) with grief
ii. Strengths (individual and /or family if appropriate)
iii. Problem solving capacities
m. Diversity, ethnicity, religion, spirituality
i. Religion, degree of participation & the importance /influence in client’s life
ii. Factors of diversity: culture, race, ethnicity, gender, age, class, sexual orientation, religion/spirituality, differential physical
or mental abilities, intergenerational factors.
iii. Psychosocial effects of oppression: “Violations of client’s space, time, energy, mobility, bonding or identity due to
membership in a marginalized population group”. Alienation from self or others due to institutionalized oppression, stage
of identity formation as member of a group, strengths, resources and sources of personal power in responding to
oppression, primary patterns of coping with membership in a marginalized group
n. Recreation/leisure activities
o. Use of community resources and services
p. Other relevant information: (Depending on client situation this could include):
i. Independent Living and Self Care
ii. Housing/Home Safety
iii. Nutrition and Health Care
iv. Education/Training
v. Employment/Job Performance
vi. Income/ Money Management
vii. Citizenship/Law
viii. Attitudes toward role (as sibling, parent, student, etc.)
ix. School Performance
x. Sexuality
xi. Adjustments to disability
Section 2
a. Client Needs and Strengths
Based on the “client” you are assessing, create and prioritize a “client needs list”. Based on your assessment, (and of
course, your “conversation” with the client), select 3 to 5 priorities.
Do the same thing with strengths. Create a list of 3 to 5 strengths that you can use as a social worker to combat and target
the needs you identified above.
b. Social Worker’s Summary Assessment – A summary of your professional impression based on information you’ve.