Evaluate sources of formal and informal support available to families and family members.
Evaluation should include
- identifying a variety of family-, community-, and employment-related resources
- assessing support systems for reliability
- dealing with barriers to gaining support.
Process/Skill Questions:
Thinking
- How might a family’s support system change over the family life cycle?
- What are the consequences for families who lack adequate support systems?
- What are the benefits for families who obtain adequate support systems?
- What are local examples of teens using these sources of support?
- What are possible barriers to gaining support for a family?
Communication
- How do support systems help families deal with stress, conflict, and crisis?
- What factors influence the family’s attitudes and beliefs about support systems?
- What communication skills are needed to access formal and informal support systems?
- How are communication skills used to evaluate resources?
Leadership
- What barriers do families face when attempting to find support?
- What ethical issues may arise when selecting sources of support?
- What ethical issues arise when referring another to sources for support?
- What leadership skills can help you properly evaluate sources of support?
Management
- What criteria can be used to decide whether a support source is appropriate for a particular situation?
- What management strategies may help families access appropriate sources of support?
- How can we accept responsibility during times of family crisis?
- What are ways that places of employment can offer formal or informal resources to a family?