Collateral Interview Paper

Randall Thigpen is a case manager professional interviewed for this assignment. The introduction and purpose of the interview was done through the phone, but the questionnaire was sent via email. Randall’s official title is Placement Desk Coordinator. Randall provides services to foster care children in the Arapahoe county DHS in Colorado. Although the Randall does not have a nursing degree, eight years of experience working with foster care children was valuable when providing information about the population of interest. Some of the responsibilities include finding a home for children who are removed from their home and their parents or caretakers are regarded as not fit to take care of their children. Other job responsibilities include the supervision of other case workers and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child in foster care through continuous assessment of the current placement and adjustments as necessary. The following questions were developed and sent to the foster care professional.

Action: MHP and MHS discuss Donovan’s behaviors in the home and community. MHP and MHS review monthly paperwork that is needs to be submitted. MHS and MHP complete a walk-through of Donovan’s bedroom and play room. MHP and MHP discuss upcoming medical appointments. MHP email Ms. Greene at the MUSC Foster Care Support Clinic to assist MHS with verifying upcoming medical appointments. MHP and MHS discuss MHS contact with Donovan’s DSS worker.

A collateral interview was conducted with Ms. Arlin Zapata, Mr. Tika’s wife. Ms. Zapata is a 28 year old individual born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She indicated that her family is from the Dominican Republic.

On May 3, 2016, I was assigned this case to follow up. This investigation involves Mr. Stanton T. Jones of Fairfax County foster care. Mr. Jones had been placed Ms. Pamela Allen (foster parent) who resides at 3642 Morgan Court, Dumfries, Virginia 22026. I made multiple attempts to make contact with Ms. Allen and was unable to leave a message.

Clinician discussed set back of displaying unhealthy behaviors in foster home. Clinician praised acknowledging her struggles

Intervention: CSP discussed the youth’s ability to follow the home and school rules. CSP coached the youth to communicate with foster parent and foster sister. CSP praised the youth for resolving issues with foster sister. CSP asked for the youth’s feelings about going home and building a better relationship with her bio-mother. CSP discussed the youth’s behavior towards staff at school and foster parents.

A collateral interview was conducted with Ms. Yelena Halperin LCSW, therapist for Ms. Choi. She has been working with the mother for approximately one year. She indicated that the mother was overwhelmed with fear of the father retaliating due to the mother starting the divorce. The patient found her through the internet. She had to pay the fee initially. However, she is now covered under Medicaid.

The reason I decided to talk to her is because of her knowledge in child psychology. I asked her about what the families’ objective was for a foster child. She told me that a foster family should fulfill a child’s dream in having a family and to share a child’s special moments. In doing so, the child can feel like he or she has potential and feel secure that the parents would be able to support the child, whenever he or she needs it (Varughese, S.). I asked about the child being affected psychologically, and she replied saying that the child is taken care of, but not shown affection. This lack of affection tends to allow the child to understand that the child is not wanted and soon many negative things will occur in the child’s brain (Varughese,

Collateral interview with Ms. Jennifer Small-Felix/Child Advocate and therapist was conducted via phone. A follow-up in reference to the Dorthy’s adoption process was conducted. Child’s advocate advised that perspective adoptive parent will not be adopting Dorthy anymore. In reference to her prescribed medication, Ms. Small-Felix reported that she will follow-up with the psychiatrist to provide documentation of continuing or any change in child’s medication as well as foster parents of any change in her behavior. Child’s advocate also noted that treatment plan will be mailed out.

A collateral interview was conducted with Dr. Mallay Occhiogrosso, Ms. Silverman psychiatrist. Dr. Occhiogrosso reported that she started seeing Ms. Silverman in April of 2015, for medication management. Ms. Silverman was taking 150 mg. Wellbutrin daily. She was started on lower dosage and then raised it. The mother came to her depressed she was prescribed Melatonin for sleep.

It is reported that Carson had a good relationship with both parents and both parents loved him very much.

This week Acculturation for Justice, Access and Peace Outreach. We receive two new clients, so I was able to sit in on the intake interview. As stated in a previous paper, and an intake interview helps the case manager know goals that the clients are setting for themselves. The intake interview also helps us know how much English the clients may or may not know. Sadly, these clients not only have very little English, but neither of them have had any schooling. If this was a game show, this would be called a double whammy. It's already hard finding jobs for clients that don't have much English, so for them to two disadvantages doesn't help at all. "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." We have to work with what we have. They tell us that they really want to work, so hopefully I and my fellow co-workers are able to find them jobs.

On 8/25/16 I met Etwan Wilson and his Mother Ms. Edwards at the office of Neuropsychologist Dr. Dennis. Ms. Edwards said that Etwan has the following symptoms. He is anxious, restless, swearing, clings to mother, moody, and fixates on things. He is nervous riding in a car. He is eating a lot and not sleeping as much as he has before. He continues to take Ritalin, Catapress and Depakote. Dr. Dennis would like Etwan to be seen by Dr. Pelshaw pediatric PMR. She would also like Etwan to have homebound schooling. Dr. Dennis asked that I obtain the forms and she would fill them out for this program. She would also like Etwan to have home counseling to work on the acting out and start behavioral therapy. Dr. Dennis recommends Carrie Miller to come

The mother reported that the issue of mental health for Rafi was discussed in court prior to enrolling the child. The mother stated that the father was aware that the child was being placed in treatment. She indicated the father disagreed and treatment was delayed until the Court intervened and directed that treatment to start. In contrast, the father reported that he was unaware of the child’s treatment. He indicated that he learned that Rafi was in therapy three months ago at court. Mr. Solstein reported that the therapist wrote a letter to court indicating that the child should not have contact with the father. Mr. Solstein reported that he wanted to be involved in family therapy but is concerned that the current therapist has taken a position that the child should not be with him based on information from the mother.

My mock interview was with Shelly Richardson an LICSW whom I had as an instructor during undergraduate classes. I was at ease with her and the interview had an easy flow between questions and answers. The interviewer asked the standard questions along with a few original ones. A quick review of The College of St. Scholastica’s Job Search Handbook assisted me in preparing for those common interview questions. During the interview, I paced myself to allow for thoughtful answers without providing more than was asked or giving rambling answers.