Assignment: Comprehensive Assessment

A comprehensive understanding of a client’spresenting problems depends on the use of multiple types ofassessmentmodels. Each model gathers different information based on theoreticalperspective and intent. An assessment that focuses on one area alone notonly misses vital information that may be helpful in planning anintervention, but may encourage a biased evaluation that couldpotentially lead you to an inappropriate intervention. When gatheringand reviewing a client’s history, sometimes it is easier to focus on theproblems and not the positive attributes of the client. In social work,the use of a strengths perspective requires that a client’s strengths,assets, and resources must be identified and utilized. Further, using anempowerment approach in conjunction with a strengths perspective guidesthe practitioner to work with the client to identify shared goals. Youwill be asked to consider these approaches and critically analyze themultidisciplinary team’s response to the program case study of PaulaCortez.

For this Assignment, review the program case study of the Cortez family.

In a 2- to 4-page paper, complete acomprehensive assessment of Paula Cortez, utilizing two of theassessment models provided in Chapter 5 of the course text.

• Using the Cowger article, identify at least two areas of strengths in Paula’s case.
• Analyze the perspectives of two members of the multidisciplinary team, particularly relative to Paula’s pregnancy.
• Explain which model the social workers appear to be using to make their assessment.
• Describe the potential for bias when choosing an assessment model and completing an evaluation.
• Suggest strategies you, as Paula’s social worker, might try to avoid these biases.

Required Readings

Congress, E. (2013). Assessment of adults. In M. Holosko, C. Dulmus, & K. Sowers (Eds.), Social work practice with individuals and families: Evidence-informed assessments and interventions (pp. 125–145). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Cowger, C. D. (1994). Assessing client strengths: Clinical assessment for client empowerment. Social Work, 39(3), 262– 268.

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014b). Social work case studies: Concentration year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

• Mental Health Diagnosis in Social Work: The Case of Miranda (pp. 7–9)

Note: Depending on your concentration, you may not receive a case study book until a later term. Therefore, if you did not receive a copy of Social Work Case Studies: Concentration Year in your previous course, use the linked PDF provided here. If you did receive the book referenced above, you may find the cases there or use the PDF.

Hawkins, R. L., & Kim, E. J. (2012). The socio-economic empowerment assessment: Addressing poverty and economic distress in clients. Clinical Social Work Journal, 40(2), 194– 202.

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014a). Sessions: case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

• The Cortez Family (pp. 23–25)