Faiza’s Family Assessment Unit at Hennepin County.
Faiza blogs about interning in one of the Child Protection Family Assessment units at Hennepin County.
MSW Title IV-E Child Welfare Student: Faiza Ali
Hennepin County Field Instructor: Pauline Shimada Hayward, LICSW
Field Site: Hennepin County
“I am completing my summer block internship at Hennepin County Child Protection Family Assessment Unit (FA). The work done in this unit includes reviewing the initial assessment or investigation information and developing case plans with the families. A Family Group Decision Making conference is normally convened where the families get to invite other family members and those who support them. The case plans completed are strengths-based as families are involved in the process of the case planning.
“Although there are so many things to say about FA, the most important is that the social workers understand the importance of engaging and developing rapport with the families they work with. They are sensitive to cultural similarities and difference, are empathetic and are aware that each family is unique, which helps them serve them better by connecting them to resources after they identify changes that are necessary to keep children safe and reduce the risk of child maltreatment.”