Culture in Groups

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© 2022 Walden University, LLC. Adapted from Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social

work case studies: Concentration year. Laureate International Universities Publishing.

Garcia-Lowe Family

SOCW 6121

Carol Lowe is a 23-year-old, heterosexual, Caucasian female and the mother of a 1-

year-old baby girl. She is currently unemployed, having previously worked for a house

cleaning company. The baby is healthy and developmentally on target, and she and the

parents appear to be well bonded with one another. Carol lives in a rented house with

her husband, Joseph Garcia. Joseph is a 27-year-old, heterosexual, Hispanic male. He

was recently arrested at their home for a drug deal, which he asserts was a setup. Both

parents were charged with child endangerment because weapons were found in the

child’s crib and drugs were found in the home. The parents assert that the child never

sleeps in the crib but in their bed. As a result of the parents’ arrest, Social Services was

notified, and the child was temporarily placed in a kinship care arrangement with the

maternal grandmother, who resides nearby. As a result of Joseph’s arrest, he was fired

from the cleaning company where he worked, and the family is now experiencing

financial difficulties.

After initial contact was made with the parents, a number of concerns were noted and

the family was recommended for additional case management. Carol’s mother, Ruth,

indicated that she had concerns about Carol’s drinking habits and stated that Carol

never drank before she met Joseph. There appears to be significant tension between

Ruth and Carol and Joseph.

The social worker addressed the alcohol issue with both parents, who denied there was

a problem, but shortly after the discussion, Carol was involved in a serious car accident

with the baby in the car. She was determined to have been under the influence of

alcohol. The social worker advised Carol that she could not have any unsupervised

contact with her child until she completed inpatient substance abuse treatment. The

social worker made arrangements for her placement, but after a week, she was

discharged for noncompliance with the rules. She was then referred to an intensive

outpatient program and began therapy there. Carol’s attendance was erratic because

she had lost her license as a result of the DUI as well as Joseph’s initial lack of support

of Carol’s treatment. Eventually, however, she became engaged in the program and

began to address her issues.

Joseph’s mother is deceased, and his father travels extensively in his job and is not

available as a support. Joseph was very devoted to his mother and was devastated by

her premature death. As a teen, Joseph blamed her death on negligence at the hospital,

a belief that appears to have persisted in a general distrust in healthcare services.

Joseph indicated that as a Hispanic man, family is very important to him and he wants

his family to stay together. Growing up, the value instilled in him was “family takes care

of family.” Although they have been struggling financially, Joseph has now obtained

stable employment landscaping for a large development and said he plans to take

courses at the community college to learn the trade. He stated that he wants to give a

good life to his child and be a provider.