Kate's Story: Part 5

Based on what you learned in this lesson and throughout this course, write a different story for Kate. At each critical point in Kate’s story, think about what could have happened to change the family’s trajectory. Describe the resources, supports, or conversations that might have made a difference for Kate and her family at earlier points in time.

Date Critical Event 什么行动或社区资源可能会查nged the story? What could have been done differently to support the family?
1 March Kate is sent to live with her father and stepmother
  • Support group for new parents or blended families
  • Help with building secure, attached relationships with Kate
  • Counseling or play groups to help Kate deal with the stress of the move and separation from her biological mother
  • New Parent Support Program or support as part of prenatal care
  • Classes or support groups focused on parenting preschoolers
  • Information about positive guidance strategies and developmental milestones and children’s adjustment to big life transitions
  • Support from a social worker or other agency familiar with the family
15 March Alan moves out of the home after an altercation with Gigi. The next day Gigi physically assaults him while Kate watches. Gigi is arrested.
  • Counseling for the family focused on communication, anger management, or violence prevention
  • Coordination of services that focus on building families’ strengths rather than punitive measures
  • This could have been seen as a sign that help was needed.
28 April Kate’s half-sister is born.
  • New Parent Support Program might have helped the family recognize and deal with stressors and Gigi might have been more receptive to the New Parent Support Program after the baby arrived.
  • Family might have received information about what to expect from a preschooler when a new baby comes into the home.
8 May Diane, Kate’s family child care provider, notices scars on Kate’s arms and makes a report of suspected child abuse.

Coordinated systems might have helped medical professionals see patterns of stress in the families’ behavior and referred the family or the child for additional supports even if child abuse was not evident at that time.
8 May Diane and her training and curriculum specialist report their concerns to the Family Advocacy Program and say they believe Kate is in danger. They overhear Gigi talking about whipping a child.

This conversation launched the chain of events leading to an investigation.
9 May Neighbors hear Kate screaming for an hour and call the police. The police find Kate naked, near feces, with scratches on her face and body.

This became a trigger for an immediate response from law enforcement and the local child protection agency to secure the safety and well-being of the child.
11 May Family Advocacy Program conducts interviews with both parents and make a home visit. The Incident Determination Committee meets and determines the incident meets criteria for child abuse. Plans are developed with the local child protection agency to support the family while providing close monitoring of Kate’s safety.

Family Advocacy Program took the case and began their work. They did the right thing. A series of events was set in motion that could save a life.