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This document is a free resource made available by the Collaborative for Educational  Services (CES).  For more resources visit collaborative.org/resources 

    Document Title: 

Vignette  Handouts for Session 4, DCF/Child Welfare Professionals    

CES Department or  Program: 

Train the  Trainer Series, System Change for Successful Children (SCSC) Project  

Date Posted: 

07/29/14 

More information: 

  http://collaborative.org/scsc  

CES Contact: 

  Corky Klimczak [email protected]  

Credit: 

SCSC is  funded by a two-year federal grant from the Children's Bureau of the Administration of Children and Families awarded to the CES.

 

 

           

 

Vignette #1

Skylar, who is 18 months, arrives on her first day of preschool. She has been in three foster homes since being removed from her mother at 10 months, due to neglect. The new foster parent drops her off and promptly leaves. Skylar comes in and doesn’t look back at the caregiver and does not seem distressed that she left. Skylar promptly grabs a baby doll from another child. While running away from that child, she trips and falls, hitting her head on the floor. She gets up, laughs and continues on her way. When asked, she gives back the doll, says ‘sorry’ and hugs the other child. The caregiver never has time to talk because she has to get to work and she really doesn’t have any information on Skylar. The preschool director has contacted the DCF social worker with concerns.

Skylar, 18 mo

Vignette #2:

David is 21 months old and was placed with his grandmother through DCF at 11 months. David was removed from his parents due to domestic violence and in one instance lead to a broken arm for David. He is a smart boy and already knows his colors and the letter ‘D’. He is easily upset and frequently cries and tantrums. When asked by grandmother to do something, he resists and sometimes will try to bite or hit her. Nap time is the worst. He cries, screams and throws his clothes (shoes included) off and out of his crib. Overall, the grandmother reports that things are going really well and she believes that David is upset because he wants to go back to his parents. She feels that his parents are ready to have David back.

David, 21 mo

Vignette #3:

Kiara is a 6 month old infant who current lives with her mother. The DCF case was opened due to the mother and Kiara testing positive for methamphetamines. Kiara is not able to sit up on her own, can only roll one direction, shows little interest in playing with toys or engaging with anyone. She lays quietly watching everything going around her. She is really easy going and rarely cries. She is a good eater and drinks multiple bottles a day. The mother typically has a flat affect during your visits and her house is a mess.

Kiara, 6 mo

Vignette #4: Maddox is 10 months old and has been in a concurrent foster home since birth due to being positive for heroin at birth. He startles when the other kids make too much noise or a teacher’s voice is too loud and is difficult to soothe. He has difficulty sleeping and will wake frequently crying during nap. He is very small for his age. He loves his lead teacher and frequently wants to sit in her lap. When upset, he will seek her out for comfort. His paternal grandmother, who has met him twice, has requested placement. She has a long DCF history with her own children, but feels that Maddox is her ‘fresh start’.

Maddox, 10 mo

Activity 1:

What thoughts do you have about this child? Any red flags? What approach would you take to helping this child/family in your role?

Activity 2:

What protective factors do you see in this child/family? What can you do to build resiliency in this child/family?