Outline on Working with Clinic Families

LEND Pittsburgh

Outline on Working with Clinic Families

Initial Phone Call

·  Team Leader introduces self

·  Warm, friendly, brief conversation i.e. “I know you talked to Amy Wetmore and scheduled coming in to clinic on Wednesday, March 14th. She said you have a 6-year-old named Johnny. I can’t wait to meet him.”

·  Schedule home visit, let family know it will be an approximately one-hour visit

·  Determined preferred method of communication (phone, e-mail, text) and preferred timing (day, evening, weekends)

·  Let family know you will call day before or day of home visit to check in, confirm directions, etc….AND DO THAT

Home Visit (approximately one hour)

·  Get to know family, build rapport

·  Interact with the child, identify interests and strengths

·  Engage in warm conversation, identify any family support (i.e. nearby family, support groups, organizations serving the family, etc.)

·  Confirm the date of the clinic visit and find out who will come to clinic (child needs to attend clinic)

·  Identify any potential barriers to attending clinic (i.e. transportation, getting off work, etc.)

·  Tell family what to expect during the clinic visit (in detail, including timing)

·  Briefly confirm and review family’s goals. Confirm they are the same as listed on the intake. Review confirmed goals GENERALLY … goals will be explored IN DEPTH at clinic visit.

·  Get all releases signed.

Clinic Visit (approximately two hours)

·  Faculty Clinician reviews medical history and performs general exam.

·  Expanded, in-depth discussion on family goals including potential resources

·  Discussion on barriers toward goals…barriers family has faced and collaborative problem-solving on overcoming barriers

·  Opportunity for more formalized assessments and measurements, as determined by team

·  Gather additional information on functional abilities

·  In-depth discussion on medical, educational, social, etc. background and current situations.

·  Prepare and give to family visit summary with initial recommendations

·  Develop follow-up plan with family i.e. “Our team will be putting together a report that you’ll receive in the mail within the next couple of weeks and then I’ll call you to discuss next steps, is that okay?”

After Clinic Visit

·  Work on report

·  Identify potential resources and gather information on resources

·  Consider Life Course Theory, current trajectory, and how resources might influence future trajectory

·  Follow-up with family

·  Continued empowerment and support of family on recommendations and goals