NCJ Number
160792
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 47 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1996) Pages: 57-65
Date Published
1996
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article provides guidelines for casework with juvenile offenders and their families that builds upon the strengths of the family and its individual members rather than upon the identification of problems.
Abstract
The proposed approach for juvenile justice practice originated from the Brief Solution-Focused Therapy model developed by Steve De Shazer, Insoo Kim Berg, and their colleagues at the Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee, Wis. The departure of solution-focused work from traditional interventions is its focus on the strengths and mental health of the family. All offenders and families have some resources, such as skills, capabilities, interests, and positive character traits that can be the foundation for improved living. Promoting and enhancing strengths leads to growth that will continue long after a juvenile and family leave the court system. Although skill building and education will always be a part of change, it is easier to use what is already present or has been successful than to import a new vocabulary, methods, or strategies foreign to those with which the family is familiar. Factors crucial to building casework on family strengths are cooperation with the family in case planning, a focus on family tasks rather than insights into problems, and the use of appropriate questions to draw the family into a recognition of its strengths and how to use them. Model questions are provided. This article also outlines goals oriented toward facilitating a client's sense of success. 21 references