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Human Welfare

Wunmi Talabi Alex Sprecher

+Introduction

JoAnne works for the Texas Department for Human Welfare

She is assigned a case to check on the living conditions of an Eighty year old man who lives with his son

The man has diabetes and has been in and out of the hospital over the past five years

+Physical

The elderly man only speaks Russian, while the son speaks both Russian and English

The son will not allow you in the house.

+Questions to Ask

Is there anyone on staff who can translate/speak Russian?

What is the relationship like with the son?

What is the elderly man’s current health state?

+Things to Consider

If the environment is safe to put yourself in?

Can we get in trouble for trying to get in without the son’s consent?

Should we get a warrant type document?

+Solution

When reasoning with the son we try to put him in his father’s shoes and thoroughly explain how the conditions are hazardous for his father. And show him legal documents that allow us on to the premises. Someone on staff actually does speak Russian along with using translate we are able to communicate with the man.

+Anticipation of events: The son will finally calm down once he realizes we are in fact the real deal. Then, allow us into the house and we will begin identifying the elderly man’s condition.

Justification statement: When providing legal documentation people are more prone to comply.

Risks associated with your proposed solution:The son may call the police, and we could get written up.

+Emotional

The Father and son are emotionally distraught by your prescience. The son feels accused of neglect

+Questions to Ask

Should we come off as authoritative or sensitive?

Should we have our guard up upon entering the building?

Is there any way to make them feel comfortable?

+Things to Consider

All the trouble the son put you through, just to get on to the premise?

The father and son’s body language.

+Solution

In order to put the elderly man at ease we will make sure our tone and voice is not aggressive. We have to make sure to explain to them in detail about why we are here and our purpose. Also, we will give them an example of a situation where someone’s living arrangements were dramatically changed for the better thanks to our help.

+Anticipation of events: The two men will finally feel at comfortable with our presence and let us continue our investigation.

Justification statement: In situation like this making them know what exactly is going on will most likely help make things run smoother.

Risks associated with your proposed solution:They may become narrow minded and just throw us out.We may over step our boundaries.

+Circumstantial

While on the case, JoAnne is informed of a single mother in a physically abusive relationship.

JoAnne wants to take on the case

+Questions to Ask

Where do these people live?

Is this case something you can handle?

+Things to Consider

Asking your supervisor if you are able to take on this case.

Making sure all that the woman, who recommended her friend, said is true.

+Solution

We will check in with our supervisor to make sure that we can take on this situation. Once they okay it. We will find the couple, and speak one on one with the 28 year-old and if she agrees to take our help, we will get her out of that situation immediately.

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Justification statement: Children rarely lie when they see something traumatizing, so asking the boy may help verify the accusations.

Anticipation of events: The younger woman will come with us along with her son, and we will help get her life back on track.

Risks associated with your proposed solution:The younger woman may refuse and want to stay.We may put the boy in a dangerous situation with the abuser, since he told the truth about her.