CASE PRESENTATION

Gabryelle Higgins
SWK 4910-001
INTAKE
Person-in-environment theory: understand individual and their behavior
in relation to their environment
The student is a 20-year-old mixed female. Prior to living in the Royal
Home Ministries Maternity Home, the student lived in a homeless
shelter. She has also resided with many foster families due to her home
environment being unsafe and involving abusive behaviors toward her.
The student is currently 10 weeks pregnant and has nowhere to live
after having to leave her babys fathers home due to his incarceration.
Strengths:
Ability to forgive
Kindness
Does not let difficult situations ruin her optimism
Limitation:
Is not as mature as most 20-year-olds or soon-to-be mothers
Does not consider her baby
INTAKE
Services:
Falcon Christian Academy
Royal Homes Ministries
On-campus supportive counseling
Birthing classes

Goals:
Participate in birthing classes
Learn basic life skills
Attend Falcon Christian Academy
Develop appropriate exit plan so she and her child can have a stable and optimal
home environment

Interventions:
Register for Falcon Christian Academy
Begin birthing classes in June
Attend on-campus counseling once a month
WHAT ARE SOME BIASES YOU HAD
GOING INTO THE INTERVIEW? WHAT
WERE SOME VALUE DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN YOU AND THE CLIENT?
Confused about situation
Unable to care for child at 20
Still in foster care

Possibly lying about pregnancy

10 weeks

Taking matters into ones own hands

Multiple foster parent stole from her
If God wants me to have it, I will get it back
WHAT EVENTS OR LIFE EXPERIENCES
HAVE SHAPED THEM INTO THE
PERSON THEY ARE?
Multiple foster homes
Resided in a homeless shelter
Multiple foster parents stole from her
Babys father incarcerated
Family was abusive toward her
Closest relationships have been with people who are not related to
her
WHAT IS THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION
ABOUT DIAGNOSIS, INTERVENTIONS OR
TREATMENT?
Because of the students need for stability, structure, and a
continued safe living environment, it is recommended that the
student be accepted into care at Royal Home Ministries Maternity
Home for the duration of her pregnancy.
WHAT DOES RESEARCH SAY ON THEIR
DIAGNOSIS/PROBLEM/TREATMENT?
Homeless and pregnant:
May use substances while pregnant
Many suffer from mental disorders-usually more than one
Adverse effects on babies due to mothers actions and inadequate medical care
Difficulty parenting due to mental health

Ensure they are not using substances, are caring for themselves,
are receiving proper mental health services, are receiving
adequate medical care, and are taking parenting classes

(Crawford, Trotter, Hartshorn, & Whitbeck, 2011)

WHAT CHANGES DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR
THE AGENCY OR SERVICE (NEEDS OF
AGENCY, CHANGES, AND RIGHTS ISSUES)?
Have houseparents conduct informal pregnancy classes for mothers
How many nutrients they should be consuming
How to ensure they are consuming adequate nutrients
How they should conduct themselves while pregnant (i.e. not lay on stomach)
How to combat morning sickness

Students are not able to Google things or go on Pinterest like most

expecting mothers do
Also do not have the care, supervision, advice of their loved ones
COMPETENCIES AND
PRACTICE BEHAVIORS
Competencies: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8

Practice Behaviors: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1,
7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 8.1, 8.3, 8.4
REFERENCES
Crawford, D. M., Trotter, E. C., Hartshorn, K. J., & Whitbeck, L. B.
(2011). Pregnancy and mental health of young homeless women.
Am J Orthopsychiatry, 81(2), 173-183. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-
0025.2011.01086.x