FAMILY ADVOCATE HOME VISITS ENGAGING THE FAMILY IN THE CASE MANAGEMENT AND FAMILY PARTNERSHIP PROCESS

HOME VISITS SCHEDULE TIME WITH FAMILY AT THEIR CONVENIENCE MEET IN FAMILY’S COMFORT ZONE 1. HOME 2. WORK SITE 3. LIBRARY INCLUDE BOTH PARENTS/GUARDIANS BE PREPARED 1. TAKE RESOURCE BOOK, ASSESSMENT FORM, FAMILY PARTNERSHIP FORM, REFERRAL FORM. 2. KNOW WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK

HOME VISIT SAFETY TIPS CHECK OUT AREA WITH PARENT AND/OR CRUISE THROUGH AREA PRIOR TO VISIT IF AREA APPEARS UNSAFE RESCHEDULE AT ANOTHER LOCATION

HOME VISITS PLAN TO VISIT ALONE OR WITH ANOTHER STAFF MEMBER SIGN OUT WITH ADDRESS VISITING, NAME OF FAMILY, AND EXPECTED TIME OF RETURN

HOME VISITS Carry a cellular phone Dress to protect yourself 1. avoid excessive jewelry 2. dress in non-restrictive clothing 3. wear official identification in plain view 4. don’t carry a purse 5. carry minimal or no cash

HOME VISITS Carry a whistle or noise-making device Park in the direction you want to leave Park on the street rather than in the driveway Lock your car Don’t leave valuable items in view (lock valuables/packages in trunk of car

HOME VISITS MAINTAIN CONFIDENCE IN YOUR DEMEANOR WALK BRISKLY AND WITH PURPOSE IF YOU ENCOUNTER HOSTILITY IN ANY MANNER, DON’T SHOW FEAR, LEAVE AND RESCHEDULE THE VISIT

FIRST HOME VISIT GET TO KNOW PARENT. HAVE A CONVERSATION TAKE NOTES WITH PERIODIC EYE CONTACT SCHEDULE NEXT HOME VISIT COMPLETE ASSESSMENT AND PROGRESS NOTES AT THE OFFICE SECOND HOME VISIT IDENTIFY GOALS; IF NOT IDENTIFIED DURING THE FIRST HOME VISIT DOCUMENT AND FOLLOW-UP AS NEEDED

HOME VISITS USE COMMON SENSE 1. IF FAMILY IS FIGHTING,USING DRUGS OR UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS LEAVE 2. PARENTS ARE DISTRACTED; I.E. BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE, OR THEY SAY THEY HAVE TO RUSH OFF FOR ANOTHER APPOINTMENT; LEAVE, AND RESCHEDULE.

HOME VISITS SIT WHERE YOU CAN VIEW THE BED ROOMS OR HALL (ENTRAPMENTS) KEEP CLOSE TO AN EXIT SIT IN A HARD BACKED CHAIR IF POSSIBLE OR SIT WITH YOUR STRONG LEG BACK AND YOUR OTHER LEG FORWARD SO YOU CAN GET UP QUICKLY KEEP YOUR SHOES ON

HOME VISITS BE RESPECTFUL BE COURTEOUS BE ON TIME BE SENSITIVE TO THE CULTURE OF THE FAMILY YOU ARE VISITING LIMIT SHARING OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, SHARE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES

HOME VISITS ASK OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS THAT ALLOW PARENTS TO SHARE INFORMATION INSTEAD OF ANSWERING YES OR NO. LISTEN. BE WARM, EMPATHIC, AND REAL REFLECT BACK TO PARENTS SUMMARIZE OUTCOME OF VISIT

HOME VISITS REMAIN CALM; IF PARENT HAS A PROBLEM YOU CAN NOT HANDLE LET THEM KNOW YOU WILL CONSULT AND GET BACK TO THEM WITH A RESPONSE CALL IN THE TEAM FOR A STAFFING OR CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY FOR ANSWERS

HOME VISITS MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALTY LEAVE FAMILY WITH THE BELIEF THAT YOU BELIEVE IN THEM AND ARE WILLING TO ASSIST OR OBTAIN ASSISTANCE FOR THEM WHEN RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE

HOME VISITS  FOLLOW UP WITH FAMILY TO DOCUMENT PROGRESS  PROVIDE ENCOURAGEMENT AND  SUPPORT  CELEBRATE SUCCESS  PROVIDE CLOSURE