Role of Client Dignity, Self-Determination, and Choice when providing services to Homeless Populatio

Importance of Client Dignity, Self-Determination, and Choice

Questions Discuss the role of client dignity, self-determination, and choice when making professional decisions related to the provision of services to homeless populations. Why is this critically important? What might this look like in practice? How might we ensure this in practice? Drawing on the case study presented below (Linda Damm), identify key strengths, diversity factors, and opportunities for growth for this client.  Specify at least three possible goals. Develop an appropriate plan for intervention, drawing on evidence-based practices as appropriate. Case Study LINDA DAMM Based on Time article titled, “The Sins of the Fathers” by Barbara Madduz; Case Study written by Diane Bessel Linda Damm, 34, is a former nursing home aide who is seeking to be reunited with her four children after their removal and placement into foster care. Linda and her family have been cycling in and out of homelessness for more than 10 years while facing numerous obstacles to receiving government and other assistance. As a result, Linda and her family have been forced to move from a shelter to living in their car, to staying with family members, to an apartment, and later to a recreational vehicle (RV). They were last found squatting on a plot of farmland in the California desert. Within an 8-year period, Linda’s children were removed approximately three times for her failure to appropriately house, clothe, and feed the children and parental substance abuse. After each instance, Linda was compliant with the Department of Children and Family Services requests to attend parenting classes and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. Nevertheless, Linda continues to use methamphetamine, and her son reports that he has had to save his mother’s life on many occasions. Raised in California, Missouri, and Michigan by a widowed mother, Linda dropped out of school in the 10th grade and has a fairly limited education despite having been at the top of her class in an emergency medical care program 8 years ago. She has been married twice and has two children from each marriage (Crissy, 13, and Jesse, 12 from her first marriage and Ashley, 6, and Summer, 4, from her current relationship). In both of these marriages, as well as in a previous dating relationship, Linda has experienced physical violence at the hands of her partner. Linda’s current husband, Dean, a 40-year-old unemployed truck driver, was arrested twice for beating her. She was also arrested for stabbing him with a penknife and ordered by the court to stay 100 yards away from him. Despite the violence, Linda stayed with Dean until allegations that he fondled her 13-year-old daughter surfaced. At that time, she fled with her children and reported to social services. The children were removed and placed into separate foster care homes. Linda feels that she does not have any control over her situation. Linda has been mandated to meet with you (as a social worker) in an effort to get her children back. After the initial assessment, it is abundantly clear that Linda wants to get her children back and needs your help to do so. It is also clear that Linda does not feel in control of her own circumstances. Linda has never had a stable living environment; her mother was widowed, and Linda was forced to move around quite a bit as a young person. She also dropped out of school at an early age, even though she was academically talented. Linda’s lack of a sense of control has also contributed to a pattern of abusive relationships and repeated episodes of homelessness, unemployment, use of government supports, and drug use. Linda must demonstrate the capacity to be in control of her circumstances in order to get her children back. Perhaps, more importantly, she needs to learn this skill in order to get her own life back. Looking at this case study, identify key strengths, diversity factors, and opportunities for growth for this client and specify at least three possible goals. Develop an appropriate plan for intervention drawing on evidence-based practices as appropriate.