case study answers

Rachel is 8 years old and has just moved in with her grandparents on her mother’s side. Rachel’s grandparents have taken her away from her mother (Lynn) because she is no longer taking care of Rachel and her basic needs (food, personal hygiene, attention or affection). The grandparents live across the street from Lynn and Rachel. Rachel has been coming to their house in the morning and evening for a while now and eating meals with them due to her mother sleeping. She started having poor hygiene. The grandparents pay Lynn a visit while Rachel is in school and they find out that Rachel has been taking care of her needs because her mother is always passed out somewhere. They have threatened to call the authorities and child services if Lynn does not let them take Rachel home with them and get herself some help for her substance abuse.

Rachel’s grandparents tell you that she hardly speaks and stays in her room. They also tell you her teacher says her reading and spelling are below average for her age and below her classmates. She is having trouble remembering and does not socialize in class; she sits alone away from the others. They wonder if Rachel is having trouble with her academics due to her mother’s drinking and doing drugs while she was pregnant or if it is her father and mother divorcing.

Rachel’s father (Ray) works for a construction company and Lynn is on disability due to a back injury at her previous job. Both parents drink every day and use other drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and prescription drugs. They fought all the time and he was abusive. Ray left Lynn and Rachel when Rachel was 5 years old but he still came around and stayed over some nights and they still fought most days. They divorced when she was 9 years old because her father found a new girlfriend. Lynn hurt her back a few months prior to Ray filing for divorce and she was taking pain medication for her back. She then started drinking again and would pass out. Rachel had to take care of herself. She was free do as she pleased and had no rules. Ray does not want Rachel. He has never wanted her and she knows this from his verbal abuse with her mother during their arguments.