Working with a Client at a Women-Only Residential Addictions Treatment Centre

Case Note

You are working as a case manager in 20 bed women-only residential addictions treatment centre in Scarborough.  Your role is to perform intake, and follow-up, checking in on women periodically throughout their stay to help them with goal planning and create plans to increase their chances of remaining sober after their discharge.

Mary is a 28-year-old woman currently on probation for shoplifting and driving while impaired. She has been binge drinking weekly during the past year. Mary is the mother of four children . Her older two sons are living in foster care. The younger two daughters have complex health problems and developmental disability diagnoses; they live with another relative. She reported that both of her parents, several uncles and aunts, and both of her siblings all have significant drinking and/or drug use problems. She has no close friends and a distant, conflicted relationship with family members other than the grandmother with whom she has almost always lived. She has great difficulty in "getting along" with people. She has worked irregularly throughout her adult life. She describes her present health as "good" but notes that she has attempted suicide in the past. Mary identifies her primary problem as alcohol use.

Today, you are meeting with Mary to determine whether she is a good fit for your program. When she arrives, she appears annoyed and states that her probation officer had “strongly” suggested she join a residential program or she could be breached for violating her probation order (not to consume alcohol or other drugs).  When you inform her that your program is voluntary she acknowledges that she does want to quit drinking and has agreed to attend.  You will make a referral to the program for her.

Questions: Please note in your thread what you are answering so write part 1 and part 2 in the thread.

Please write a case note regarding the interaction with the client. Answers should be concise, AOP(Anti-oppressive practice) and demonstrate the use of being objective. You can only write 5-6 sentences for the case note. No less and no more.

• Must be objective and concise – focus on facts and not your own opinion
• Person-first
• AOP and non-biased, non-stigmatizing
• Understand that what you write can be utilized in court
• Think of how you would want a case note written about you
• It should have who is writing it, what happened and action steps

Case Worker met with George (Client) today to discuss housing and a potential discharge from program. George stated that he feels down and has been drinking. Worker asked if he would be interested in resources related to substance use both (Harm Reduction and Abstinent based). George said he is interested in the referral and states that he feels that once he is feeling better and attends a group that he would like to find housing. Worker provided George with a list of groups and some bus tickets to support him to attend. Worker and George have scheduled a meeting for December 2 to check-in and review apartments.

You will respond to two questions which should be between 4-5 sentences per question. They should demonstrate practice skills. Please number your answers, but don’t include the question in your thread as this takes up space.

1) What are two ways to support self-determination and empowerment with Mary?

2) What are two ways to work from an AOP framework with Mary? Please consider your social location and anti-labeling as you consider this question.

It is clear that the student participated in the discussion and was engaged throughout activity week by responding to their thread and connecting/responding to colleagues’ replies.

Content is reflective, thoughtful, written in full sentences from the students’ perspective. Both parts directly tie to course content and it is clear that there is a depth in understanding of how to apply the skills to practice with the client.

Part 1: Must have 5-6 full sentences. No more and no less. Answer should be concise and direct.

Part 2: You will respond to two questions which should be between 4-5 sentences per question. They should demonstrate practice skills. Please number your answers.

Answers should be concise and synthesized and focus on practice. For example, stating how exactly you will work with the client to demonstrate anti-labeling, etc.

Replies have 3-4 sentences and are not just “I agree”,but respond directly to the content in the thread and tie to the course content.

Proper grammar, professionalism and awareness and demonstration of AOP in writing should be utilized through answering both questions and responding to your colleagues. No quotes will be utilized in the response.