1. Chapter 15 Enhancing Family Functioning Relationships
Direct Social Work Practice, 9h edition Rooney, Dewberry Rooney, & Strom-Gottfried
Chapter 15
Enhancing Family Functioning Relationships
Copyright (c) 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.

2. Empowerment Series: Overview
Empowering Programs with Resources that Enhance Social Work Education
Copyright (c) 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.

3. Social Work: A Competency-Oriented Education
Copyright (c) 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
Social Work: A Competency-Oriented Education
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Defines Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS)
Developed Ten “Core Competencies” and 41 Related “Practice Behaviors”
Every student should master the Practice Behaviors and Core Competencies before completing the program

4. Resources Aligned to EPAS 2008
Copyright (c) 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
Resources Aligned to EPAS 2008
The Textbook
“Helping Hands” icons call attention to content that relates to Practice Behaviors and Competencies
(insert icon)
“Competency Notes” at the end of the chapter help put the Practice Behaviors and Competencies in practical context

5. Resources Aligned to EPAS (cont)
Copyright (c) 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
Resources Aligned to EPAS (cont)
The Practice Behaviors Workbook developed with the text provides assignable exercises that assist in mastering the Practice Behaviors and Competencies
Additional online resources can be found at

6. Initial Contacts Managing initial contacts with couples and families
Copyright (c) 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
Initial Contacts
Managing initial contacts with couples and families
Initial contacts in the home
Safety concerns
Managing initial contacts with parents
Establishing rapport with parents
Coaching parents
Establish concerns as a family problem
Creating a safe place for the child
Allowing child to tell their story
EPAS a

7. Table 15-1: Orchestrating the Initial Family Session
Copyright (c) 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
Table 15-1: Orchestrating the Initial Family Session
Establish a personal relationship with individual members and an alliance with the family as a group
Clarify expectations and explore reservations about the helping process, including potential dynamics of minority status and culture
Clarify roles and the nature of the helping process
Clarify choices about participation
Elicit the family’s perception of the problem
Identify wants and needs of family members
Define the problem as a family problem
EPAS d

8. Table 15-1: Orchestrating the Initial Family Session (continued)
Copyright (c) 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
Table 15-1: Orchestrating the Initial Family Session (continued)
Emphasize family strengths
Ask questions to elicit information about patterned behaviours of the family
Draw family’s members attention to repetitive communications and discuss whether they want to change patterns
Begin to assist family members to relate to one another in more positive ways
Establish individual and family goals or solutions
Gauge the motivation of family members to have future session and negotiate contract
Negotiate tasks to be accomplished during the week
End the session by summarizing points discussed and solutions and progress achieved
EPAS d

9. Intervening with Families: Cultural and Ecological Considerations
Copyright (c) 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
Intervening with Families: Cultural and Ecological Considerations
Differences in communication styles
Hierarchical considerations
Authority of the social worker
Engaging the family
Understanding families using an ecological approach
EPAS 2.1.7b, a

10. Intervening with Families: Focusing on the Future
Copyright (c) 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
Intervening with Families: Focusing on the Future
Using solution-focused techniques
Scaling questions
Miracle questions
Focusing on “exceptional times” to determine what works and why

11. Communication Patterns and Styles
Copyright (c) 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
Communication Patterns and Styles
Giving and receiving feedback
Engaging clients in assessing how well they give and receive positive feedback
Educating clients as to the vital role of positive feedback
Cultivating positive cognitive sets
Sensitizing couples to positive cognitive sets
Reviewing progress and accrediting incremental growth
Employing tasks to enhance positive cognitive sets
Enabling clients to give and to receive positive feedback
EPAS a

12. Intervening with Families: Strategies to Modify Interactions
Copyright (c) 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
Intervening with Families: Strategies to Modify Interactions
Metacommunication
Modifying family rules
On-the-spot interventions
Guidelines for making on-the-spot interventions
Focus on process rather than content
Give descriptive and neutral feedback, not general or evaluative
Balance interventions to divide responsibility
Assisting families to disengage from conflict
Modifying complementary interactions
Negotiating agreements for reciprocal changes
EPAS a, j, c

13. Copyright (c) 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
Intervening with Families: Modifying Misconceptions and Distorted Perceptions
The impact of unrealistic expectations and myths
Bringing misconceptions into the open
Use of empathy to address ambiguity and fear of changing misconceptions and distorted perceptions
Focus on the process, not the client
EPAS a, 2.1.4a

14. Intervening with Families: Modifying Family Alignments
Copyright (c) 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
Intervening with Families: Modifying Family Alignments
Develop alliances, cultivate new alliances, or strengthen underdeveloped relationships
Reinforce an alliance
Differentiate individuals and subsystems
Increase family interactions
Help family members accommodate changing circumstances or transitions
EPAS a

15. Summary Internet Resources Notes Crisis Intervention
Copyright (c) 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
Summary
Internet Resources
The Multicultural Family Institute
Synagogue Services
Psychotherapy Networker
Families in Society
NASW: National Committee on LGBT Issues
Notes
Crisis Intervention