ILearning with Case Studies
Greene Case Study Materials
OCS Case File
Last Name of Case: / GreeneLegal Number(s): / 08-5-54321
Child(ren)'s Name: / DOB / Age / Ethnicity / Sex / Current Placement Location
Marky Greene / 02/02/15 / 8 years / Caus / M / Home of bio mother & father
Current
Caretakers / Physical Address / Phone
Jessica Dudley / 4810 Old Mill Rd / 555-5454
Attorneys for:
Mother / Darlene Wright / 555-6000
Father / Walt Harris / 707-7000
Case History
Originalcomplaint:AprotectiveservicesreportwasmadetoOCSbythethird-gradeteacher andschool nurseatParksideElementary.Thecallersstatedthatoneoftheirstudents,MarkyGreene,oftencomes to school with poor hygiene, that much of his clothing is not his size, and that he's just come in with his third case of head lice in threemonths.
This OCS social worker (SW) interviewed the child's parents, Judy and Roy Greene. The family is Caucasian; the parents are in their late twenties. Per medical records, mother was diagnosed in middle school as developmentally delayed. Roy works on the slope and is away from the home for extended periods oftime; his shift is three weeks on, one off. Father stated: "I've been depressed for a long time." However, he reported to SW that he has not seen a counselor or been on medication for years due to the expense. The Greene family moved here from out of state two years ago. They have no extended family living nearby.
The SW found conditions in the home deplorable but not dangerous. The SW observed food smashed into the floor, trash throughout house and a very strong smell of urine and rotting food. Theres was not room for people to sit. The trailer had a current mouse problem. Roy had just returned from the slope earlier that morning and stated he was in the process of cleaning. OCS filed and emergency petition for neglect and parental mental health.
Parents stipulated to PC and to adjudication. It was determined that the child's placement will continue with current foster parents. Parents were ordered to cooperate with OCS case plan.
Disposition Hearing is scheduled in two and a half weeks.
Case History: Initially Assigned to: / You and your team / Date Assigned:Date Terminated: / Today
N/A
Current CASA Volunteer: / You and your team / Date Assigned:
Initial OCS Social Worker / Ryan Headon
Current OCS Social Worker: / Ryan Headon
Court-Ordered Services For the Child:
•Educational needs met asappropriate
For the Father:
•Psychologicalevaluationandcounseling(ifrecommended)
For the Mother:
•Psychologicalevaluationandtreatment/counseling(ifrecommended)
•Parentingclasses
Who do you want to interview first?
Greene Family Genogram
The Questioner's List
It is the Questioner's job to ask questions as you go along but not his or her exclusive right. Everyone should make sure they understand the group's ideas and conclusions as you work through the case.
Questions to consider periodically:
•Whereelsecouldwegetmoreinformationthatwouldbeuseful?
•Why should or shouldn't this family bereunited?
•Havewecheckedwithrelatives?
Questions to consider before finalizing court recommendations:
•Are our court recommendations child focused?
•Havewecoveredeveryneedofthechild(ren)inthiscase?
•Did we appropriately consider the "minimum sufficient level of care" standard in forming our recommendations for thiscase?
•Do our recommendations ask for what is appropriate, whether or not it is readilyavailable?
•Is our wording clear, diplomatic, andnon-judgmental?
Interviews
Marky Greene - First Contact
Setting: Parkside Elementary School
CASANotes:Thechildappearedcleanandappropriatelydressed Hi. My teacher told me someone wanted to talk tome.
Yes, I like school.
I don't like when kids make fun of me.
Theycallme"retard"sometimes.Andpushmeinthehallway. I likemath.
I don't like reading time. I go to a different room during reading time and work with Ms. Thomas. Matthew and Paul say I have to go to the retards' room.
My parents are nice to me. We have fun after school. Sometimes they let me stay up late to watch TV orplaygames.Momlikestoplaygameswithme.Sometimesitgetsboring.Butshelikestoplaysowe play. Sometimes I have to tell her it's time forbed.
I like to take care of my Mom, she needs me to cook and take care of her. It means I'm a good son.
•What are your impressions of Marky's relationship with hisparents?
•Who do you want to talk tonow?
'Marky Greene - Second Contact
You decide to see Marky again before writing your court report. Some things just aren't adding up and you want to see what he'll say about them. Usually you wouldn't expect an 8-year-old to be that helpful, but this kid is so observant and mature for his age that you feel it's a good idea to ask. He tells you that:
School is still going fine. He really likes his mentor. "Coach is-that's what I call him-Imean, Mr.
Smit h ' s a great soccer coach! And he's really fun too. He's so smart!" He also tells you he loves playing piano and likes all the nice things Jessica has in her home.
He's worried about the new puppy his mother just got and he's not sure his parents really know how to take care of a dog. "We had a gerbil once and it died."
He doesn't remember having a sister.
His dad goes to work and is gone for three weeks. His family has always moved houses a lot.
Both his mom and dad like to go to the corner bar and play the poker machine. "I tell them not to do it, but they won't listen to me. Sometimes they lose all the money we have."
Yes, his mom can have a temper, "But she doesn't mean anything by it." And, no, she doesn't hit him, "Well, not very hard." "Is this going to get my parents in trouble?" "When can I go home?"
•Howwillyouanswerhisfinalquestion?
•What difference does this interview make to thecase?
Civil Records- see separate handout
Former Landlords of the Greenes
YoucalltheSouthEastRealEstateManagementCompanyandtheyrefusetospeakwithyouaboutthe Greenes. They acknowledge that they did rent to the Greens last year and that they had to be evicted due to not payingrent.
Then you call Sharon Dickens, who had a rent problem with the Greenes two years ago. She is more than willing to talk to you. She said she never had any trouble with renters before-that she'd been renting that old farmhouse for years, but "Roy and Judy, boy, they were something else!"
Ms. Dickens tells you they seemed nice, if a little odd, when she rented the place to them, but things went downhill quickly. She always watches the old place from the road because she passes it on her way to work. "The Greenes seemed like they didn't live like the rest of us." The place started to look messy, with stuff in the yard. When she stopped by to pick up the rent, they didn't seem to want her in the house. And since they had the rent, cash in hand, she just picked it up and went on her way for the first three months or so. "Then the excuses started! They said he hadn't been paid that week. They said they had to take Marky to the doctor-he's a real nice kid, not like them. They said anything to explain why they didn't have the money on time. Finally, I did get in the house and it was horrendous. There was rotting food everywhere, dishes piled high and empty alcohol containers were everywhere. There wasn't a clean square inch in that entire house!"
"Then, right after that, they called to say the water wasn't working. My husband went over to check it out and he found the pump cover off the pump. The cover looked like it had been run over by a truck. The pump was just turned off-I guess that's how Roy "fixed" it. The yard had tire tracks all over, like they'd been spinning wheelies for the fun of it. The grass was all dug up. My husband was furious.
That's when we filed on them. It took a professional cleaning crew days to get it clean enough to rent out after they movedout."
Ms. Dickens tells you she thinks Mrs. Greene is a drunk and not smart. She thinks Mr. Greene is just plain ignorant to his wife's behaviors.
She asks you what's going on now. "Are they in trouble?"
•Howdoyouanswerherquestion?
•Whathaveyoulearnedfromthisinterviewandthecivilrecordsyouretrieved?
Activity 2.21: The Greene Case {60 minutes)
Part1:Takeseveralminutestobegindigestingtheinformationinthecasefile.Whoelsemayyou want to interview to complete your investigation of the case at this stage? As you gather this information, your group should be formulating recommendations regarding:
- Services for thechild
- Services for theparent
- Placement of thechild
Discuss your group's recommendations and list on power point .
Part 2: Read the rest of the case information below and then briefly discuss the debrief questions below. the large group, discuss these questions and any others that arose during the activity.
Greene Case Debrief Questions
•Whatdidyouthinkofthedecisiontoprovidein-homeservicesratherthanremovingthechild fromthehome?
•Howdidthementalhealthneedsoftheparentsaffectthewayyouapproachedthiscase?
•Were some interviews more beneficial thanothers?
•Howwouldyoupnormzemepeop1eyouwanttointerview!'
Intensive In-Home Family Therapist - MonicaMorales
YouareabletomeetwithMonicaMoralesinperson.Sheiscasuallydressedandexplainsthatshe hasanappointmentthatafternoon.Inmostcasessheschedulesthreeorfour-hoursessionsthree times a week, "spent with the family on their home turf. These families are in danger of losing their children. They have multiple problems to address and need very concrete support. It's not armchair therapy, that's for sure." She responds to your questions about the Greene family and tells youthat:
One of her first projects was to take Marky and his mom to the thrift store to get some clothes for Marky that fit him. If Monica had not been there, Judy would probably have spent all the available cashonaChristmasdressinggownshefoundandsomecuteceramicfoodandwaterbowlsforthe dog."Ihadtoredirectherandkeepherfocusedonthetask wewenttheretoaccomplish.
JudyhasresistedtakingtheFamilies ontheGrowclass.Theplanistogetherintothatclassonce Monicahascompletedhersessions.
Judy'sviolenttemperisconcerning."Shehaslittleimpulsecontrolandreactswithangerwhenshe feelsthreatenedorconfused,whichisoften.Iamworkingwithheronwaystostaycool.We're also learning to discipline effectively without hitting. It's actually good that the puppy is there becausehegivesusplentyofopportunitiestopractice."
From Monica's understanding, Marky almost never needs discipline. He's more likely to be scoldinghisparents.He'saclassic"parentified"child,onewhoismoreresponsiblethantheadults in the home. "He takes on more responsibility than a child should. He will need to learn how to be akid."
"IknowtheyhavefinancialproblemsbutI'mnotsurewhy.Roymakesagoodpaycheckandthe trailer rent is low. We'll be working on a budgetsoon."
Judy denies regular alcohol use but does admit to getting drunk on weekends
•What difference does thisinformation make to the case?
•What are your follow-upquestions?
Parents - Judy and Roy Greene
You have obtained permission from both Judy's and Roy's attorneys to speak with Judy and Roy
You go out to the trailer at Falk's Family Park on Sat urday . Marky is out with his new mentor, Ben Smith, but both parents are home. The trailer smells a little like pee, especially near the bathroom door. The place isn't a total mess but you see roaches, both dead and alive. You explain who you are, but you can see that they don't really get it.
They got Marky a puppy and named it Butch, "after Roy's boss," Judy tells you, "'cause this puppy isboss!"(Shegiggles.)Thepuppyiswiggly,andJudysmacksitfrequentlyinanineffectiveattempt to control the animal. Roy tells you that he works on the slope. He's been with them for ayear.
Judy's not working right now. They have lived at Falk's for about six m onths.
YouaskthemwhyOCScameintotheirlives.Judysays,"It'snotright!Theycan'ttakehimfromus! I won't let them!" She is suddenly very upset. "Calm down now, Honey," Roy tell her. Then, "Hush! Nobody is taking any body." He turns to you. "We love Marky - he's our boy. I just don't know if Judycantakeit.She'sgonnablow!We'vebeenmarriedalmost10years,youknow."
You ask what happened with OCS and Roy takes a matt er-of -fact tone, like he's reciting: "They come over to the house and it was dirty. It was really bad, not like today. I told Judy to clean up but she didn't do it. I think she'll do better now, won't you, Honey? They said we didn't have any food. Well, of course we didn't - it was Friday. We always shop on Friday when I get home from work with my paycheck. I don't know why they have to butt in! So we had to clean the house all weekend and show them we had food. Now they want that lady, Miss Monica, to be over here all the time. More butting in...and Judy has to take some class about families. She doesn't need a class on families-she's got a family already! "And, they think Judy has a drinking problem.
You ask how they came to move here from their previous state of residence. Roy looks guarded and he keeps his answer short. All he tells you is that they wanted a change and they heard that it was beautiful in Alaska, with plenty of work.
You remind him about the upcoming disposition hearing and he says, "Why do we have to go to court?'Nedidn'tdoanything\\'Fong."The•,'bothseemsincerel'fconfused,but\/OUdecidetoleave anyexplanationtotheOCSworkerandtheirattorneys.
Youaskpermissiontodropbyandvisitagain,andRoysaysthat'sfine.Youexcuseyourselfand leave.
•Whatdifferencedoesthisinformationmaketothecase?
•Whatareyourfollow-upquestionsfortheseparentsorothersinvolvedinthecase?
School Nurse Marky's Teacher School Nurse:
School Nurse: The school nurse repeats what the OCS worker told you, that Marky had ill-fitting clothes, head lice and sometimes circles under his eyes like he wasn't sleeping.
She also mentions "He's looking much better recently. "He has clothes...and they're clean! We weresotiredofhimlookinglikeanorphan."Shehascheckedhimacoupletimesandtheheadlice seem to begone.
She heard his mother is slow, but she's never met her. Marky's slow too but a real sweet kid. He's always polite. She feels bad for him. School records show that when it was time for Marky to enter kindergarten, he hadn't had his inoculations and they had to call OCS for fear he's never seen a pediatrician.
Marky's Teacher: Marky is a real nice kid but kind of serious for an 8-year-old. He does okay in arithmetic but is struggling to learn how to read. He almost never gets his homework turned in. It seems to disappear if he takes it home.
Yes, he has an IEP*, but it might need to be updated. "We're a little behind on doing those. I think Marky may have a specific learning disability instead of a low IQ. If it was low IQ, he shouldn't be doing so well with his figures."
The kids used to tease him a lot for looking funny....wearing dirty and ill-fitting clothing. She tried to monitor that, but it's hard-kids can be so cruel, and after all he did look funny. He's looking much better these days.
Yes,sometimeshehascirclesunderhiseyes-notlately-andhe'scomeinwithbruisestoo,but healwayshasagoodexplanationforthoseandtheyaren'tthatbad.
Hisparentshavenotbeentotheschool.Whenhismomsignsapermissionslip,it lookslikea child's writing. But she checked it out and that's really hersignature.
So what happened? Is his mother slow? Is he in foster care now?
•Howdoyouanswerherquestions?
•If you suspect that Marky's IEP does not fit him, to whom should you report that concern? How will you advocate for anupdate?
OCS Caseworker Ryan Headon - First Contact
YouspeakwithRyanHeadenonthephone.RyangotthecasefromtheOCSinvestigatorlast month.Ryantellsyouwhattheschoolnursesaidwhenshecalledinthereport.
He also tells you that: Their son Marky doesn't seem to have an intellectual disability, but he is enrolledinSpecialEdatschool.RyanwasgoingtorecommendthathismotherenrollinOCS'slife skills program for people with developmental disabilities, Families on the Grow. "I've asked for intensive in-home family services, and I think we might get lucky on that. Monica Morales just closedacasesoshe'savailable."
Judy has worked in the past but is currently unemployed. The family lives in that funky trailer park out on the edge of town called Falk ' s Family Park . The investigator found their trailer very unkempt, wit h clot hes all over t he place, empty food cartons with fruit flies circling, etc. He said the place was dirty as well as messy and there was no food in the fridge or anywhere else. He interviewed Marky on the spot and felt that the child was under a great deal of stress. Marky actually said, "I'm so tired! I need a break."
"Apparently, the parents did not react well to OCS being there. I heard that Judy yelled a lot and only quieted down when they threatened to take Marky into foster care. It's a borderline case, you know. We probably would not have removed had the mother not gone so crazy. With some additional services, we might be able to transition Marky home sooner than lat er" .
RyantellsyouthathedidarecordsearchandfoundtheGreeneshadaOCScasethreeyearsago. When it was time for Marky to go to kindergarten, they had no proof of inoculations for him and they refused to cooperate with the school system. The Greenes said he'd had his shots but would not give the name of the doctor or clinic. OCS was called. Marky had to have his shots again; problemsolved,caseclosed.NotesinthefilestatethatJudyhadbeenreferredfortheFamilieson theGrowclassbutsheneverattended.
He also found reference to the fact that the Greenes had been on food stamps for six months about a year ago.
OCS has processed an emergency pharmacy voucher so the family could get Marky treated for head lice.
•Whataretheissuesinthiscase?
•Whatareyourfollow-upquestions,andtowhomdoyouwishtodirectthem?
OCS Caseworker Ryan Headon - Second Contact
Ryan says he has been out to see the Greenes again, and again told Judy he thought Families on the Grow would be a good thing for her to do once the intensive home therapy has ended. She replied with multiple excuses-that she didn't have time to go to "school," that she needed to get a job and that she had to stay home and watch the puppy. Ryan tells you that he will ask the court to order Judy into the program or something similar, will be required for Marky to return home.