AG 1994 03 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Individual and family work are the primary intervention strategies involved for the home-based worker. The 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 which 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 Mental Health Center, Cabarrus Health Department, etc. Overall 80% of youth in the program are age 14-17. 80% are white and 60% are female. 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. The amount of follow-up in the program varies on a case-by-case basis, but never exceeds six months total time. The worker spends 70% 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. The current home-based worker has over 13 years experience with the Department of Social Services. She has strong experience in working with Child Protective Services cases and consequently has excellent knowledge of community resources and good relationships with juvenile court staff. In addition, she is persuing a master's degree in counseling form UNC-Charlotte. 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 have regular contact with the juvenile court judges and counselors to discuss the services and referral process.