AG 1999 05 17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PROGRAM NARRATIVE (continued) All referrals are in written form from the Office of Juvenile Justice. The supervisor reviews all referrals prior to assigning them to social worker for an assessment. The assessment involves the youth and his family. Out of these discussion results the development ora service plan for the youth and his family. Individual and family work is the primary intervention strategies involved for the home-based social worker. The social worker attempts to provide support for the family and enhance the coping skills of family and youth. Each case is staffed weekly by the worker and other individuals deemed appropriate who have interest in the family's situation and treatment. Besides counseling, the worker attempts to engage other community resources that may be helpful to the family and referrals are made to other community agencies. The plans may involve assisting the parents with making appropriate plans for placement, working with the placement resources and the family in developing a plan of payment, or placement in the custody of the Department of Social Services if the situation necessitates such action. Other referrals may be made to Salvation Army, Christian Cooperative Ministry, Piedmont Behavioral Health Care, Health Alliance, etc. A breakdown of the age group of youth served 45% was between of the ages of 15-16; the age group 11 to 14 or 55 percent. Intervention focuses on helping the family to cope with their current problems. Counseling involves problem solving techniques, improvement of family communication, development of understanding among family members, help with parenting skills and the improvement of lines of communication between parents and other involved agencies. Families are involved with the program for an average of 120 days. Ihe amount of follow-up in the program varies on a case-by-case basis, but never exceeds six months total time. The worker spends 85% of time in direct services to youth and their families. The Cabarrus County Department of Social Services made a proposal for Home-Based Services in May of 1988 and was approved by the Cabarrus County CBA Task Force and Cabarrus County Board of County Commissioners. It seems that children who are referred early in their involvement with juvenile court benefit most from the service. In this way, prompt intensive counseling and services may be provided to the family before more crises develop and the family situation deteriorates further. To this end, agency staff has regular contact with the juvenile court judges and counselors meet quarterly to discuss the services and referral process. 5