Apr 21: Michael's case

Read the case study below and answer at least three of the questions.


Michael (age 8) has lived with his non-kin foster mother, Ms. Daniels, since he was removed from his
mother’s care two years ago. While Michael was placed in Ms. Daniels’ care, his older sister was placed
with a relative. Michael has seen his mother nearly every weekend during the last two years. At the time
of our interview, Michael had six more weeks before he would reunify with his mother and sister.

Michael said that he is happy about returning to live with his mother again, but that he will miss Ms.
Daniels a lot. He said that he will go back to the elementary school that he attended prior to his removal,
but that his mother and Ms. Daniels also made arrangements for him to continue playing in the baseball
league that meets near the school he attended while living with Ms. Daniels. Similarly, Ms. Daniels told
Michael that he can visit her and stay the night if he wants.

Michael and Ms. Daniels have created a scrapbook over the course of the last two years which includes
awards, certificates, and a collection of photos documenting Michael’s classes, baseball teams, birthday
parties, visits with his mother, various outings, and vacations. Reflecting on the time when he was
removed from his mother’s care, Michael said that he was initially sad, but that now he feels good because
he has two families. The scrapbook captures Michael’s two families; it includes photos of Ms. Daniels’
extended family, as well as photos that Michael’s mother contributed.

Questions:
1. What are the positive aspects of Michael’s experience in out-of-home care?
2. What are your concerns?
3. How would you address your concerns?
4. What services or community resources would improve the quality of Michael’s experience?
5. What ethnic/cultural considerations seem particularly relevant?

Probes:
1. What are some thoughts and feelings that Michael might experience when he transitions home? How
would you assist Michael during this time?
2. Is it in Michael’s best interest to maintain a relationship with his foster mother? Role play a
conversation that you might have with Michael about the nature of his future relationship with Ms.
Daniels.
3. What function does the scrapbook serve in Michael’s life?

(taken from http://cssr.berkeley.edu/pdfs/vignettes.pdf)