Reference no: EM132672253

You are a SSW working in a Youth Shelter that serves youth from 18-24 years of age. 

Joshua arrives at the shelter on a Friday night, looking dishevelled, upset and angry. He has not eaten since breakfast, is hungry and really tired. He is 19 years of age, left home due to the abuse from his mother and father that has been going on for years. The violence and verbal comments have escalated in recent weeks since his father lost his job and his mother started drinking more. He was referred by his best friend's mother who is a social worker herself and knows the services in the Halton region. All Joshua has on him is his phone, head phones, and a backpack with a few things.

Upon arrival at the shelter, Joshua is greeted by one of the daytime intake workers named Rich. Rich seems like he is in a rush, his shift is ending and he abruptly asks Joshua to sit down so they can complete the intake. Another staff member named Jalesa comes into the office as the door was wide open, and Rich loudly asks her to take over as he needs to leave and vents "it has been a long day!". 

Joshua patiently waits but inside is feeling very frustrated and anxious and wants to know if he can crash there for the night or even longer. He just does not want to go home and does not feel like he has many options of places to stay.   Jalesa completes the intake form rather quickly with Joshua and provides him his room and some hygiene products he will need for the night. She also tells him to come to the kitchen in 30 minutes to have dinner.

Case Management Meeting: The next day you and the other shelter staff hold their case management meeting to go over the youths progress, any house concerns and how they are doing on their chores and meeting their goals and objectives.

Rich (Daytime Intake Worker) reported during the meeting that Joshua was appearing angry and difficult upon arrival. He says he looked a 'mess' like he had not showered in days and that maybe he was using Cannibas. 

Jalesa (Evening Intake Worker) says that Joshua was not very open to talking to her and that he just wanted to crash there for the night and did not want to cooperate completing the intake form. Jalesa feels Joshua should be more respectful to the shelter staff and brushes it off as he is another 'angry teenager'. 

Sanam (Overnight SSW) who works the overnight shift, says he believes Joshua would benefit from a mental health assessment because he was found in the kitchen pacing, fists clenched, looking anxious and too quiet. Sanam thinks Joshua may have anger management issues and that he is concerned that he will erupt at any time.

Nikki (Daytime SSW), asked if anyone had sat in a quiet space and talked with Joshua yet. She wants to ask Joshua if he feels unsafe, frightened or what he might need in ways of help. She also wants to know more about his trauma history and what has led him to come to their shelter.

Rich and Jalesa disagree with Nikki's approach, thinking that only mental health professionals should talk to Joshua about his feelings and behavior.

Sanam is more concerned about how the other youth are feeling with Joshua's arrival.

Questions:

1. a) Which staff is/are thinking in a trauma-informed approach and which staff is/are thinking in a traditional approach?

b) What makes their thought process trauma-informed or traditional?

c) What is the potential impact of each (both) of these approaches for Joshua?

2. a) Do you believe that Joshua may be experiencing a trauma reaction and if so (a) Why and (b) What type of trauma?

b) From what you know of Joshua at this point, describe/assess how the five factors studied in class may be influencing his response to traumatic experiences.

3. a) What are some of Joshua's potential trauma triggers from their abusive experience?

c) What rules of the shelter may impede Joshua's needs at this time? Consider whether the agency is applying an AOP framework.

d) What are ways you as an advocate can be a trauma champion for Joshua in the youth shelter setting?

4. Using the exact words you would use, outline how you would engage/connect with Joshua and find out more about his needs (assessment). Your conversation with Joshua should include:

• Engagement strategies
• Supporting the client from an AOP and strengths based approach
• Validating his experience
• Making choice and collaboration explicit
• Providing a rationale for your questions
• Finding out his priorities
• Establishingand maintaining a sense of safety
• Addressing his behaviours in the youth shelter
• Make the links with trauma