NCJ Number
66290
Date Published
1976
Length
36 pages
Annotation
IN THIS MONOGRAPH, THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN FOCUSES ON HOW IT DEVELOPED INTEGRATED GROUP WORK IN ITS OUTREACH SERVICES TO SEVERELY ISOLATED AND DEPRIVED FAMILIES.
Abstract
THE GROUP WORK PROGRAM IS BUILT ON THE PRECEPT THAT PATHOLOGY IN SOME FAMILIES IS SO PERVASIVE THAT THESE FAMILIES REQUIRE A COMPREHENSIVE AND INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF CARE IN ORDER TO FUNCTION AS A FAMILY. THIS PROGRAM IS TIGHTLY INTERLOCKED WITH THE CASEWORK PROGRAM, AND MEMBERSHIP IN THE GROUPS CONSISTS OF AGENCY CLIENTS WHO ARE EMOTIONALLY DEPRIVED AND WHO REQUIRE A STRONG OUTREACH PROGRAM. THE CLIENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE TREATMENT PROGRAM DO NOT COME VOLUNTARILY TO THE AGENCY, ALTHOUGH THEIR ATTENDANCE IN THE GROUPS IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT GROUP MODELS, WITH EACH OPERATING AS A SEPARATE ENTITY, BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, INTERWOVEN WITH EACH OTHER. THE MOTHERS' REMEDIAL GROUP CONCENTRATES ON THE INDIVIDUAL AND ON PSYCHIATRIC CONTENT. THROUGH THE PROCESS OF GROUP IDENTIFICATION AND INCORPORATION OF COMMON PROBLEMS, THE MOTHERS PERCEIVE OTHERS IN PAIN. EACH MOTHER IS INTERVIEWED IN THE HOME AND THEN ENTERS THE GROUP, WHERE SHE CAN DISCUSS WITH OTHERS HER PERSONAL GRIEVANCES. AS THE PROCESS ENDS, THE MOTHERS LEARN TO OBJECTIFY THEIR EXPERIENCES, AND THE CASEWORKERS DIRECT THEM TO COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. THE SECOND GROUP, FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS, FOCUSES ON CHILDREN FOR WHOM OTHER SERVICES ARE MAKING NO IMPACT AND WHO ARE BECOMING INVOLVED SEXUALLY IN SOME WAY OR ANOTHER. EACH CHILD IS GUIDED THROUGH APPROPRIATE GROUP DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS WITH THE AIM THAT THIS NEW EXPERIENCE WILL GIVE THEM A MORE POSITIVE FRAME OF REFERENCES FOR VIEWING THEMSELVES AND THE WORLD. FINALLY, THE THIRD GROUP CONCENTRATES ON WOMEN AS A GROUP, NOT AS INDIVIDUALS, AND INVOLVES THEM IN GROUP TASKS, SUCH AS GIVING A PARTY OR ORGANIZING A MEETING. CASE EXAMPLES ARE CITED FOR EACH OF THE GROUPS, REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED, AND DRAWINGS COMPLEMENT THE TEXT. (PRG)