Systemic Consultation in Intellectual Disability Case Management

Systemic consultation is a form of tertiary case supervision derived from the principles of systemic family therapy. The present study defines the process and outcomes of systemic consultation through the experiences of case managers (CMs) working with people who have an intellectual disability. CMs were invited to present and discuss one of their complex cases with a team of consultants and attend a follow up session 4 to 6 weeks later. Measures of levels of stress, perception of workplace functioning, and workflow information were completed pre and post‐intervention and compared to measures completed by a second group of CMs receiving regular supervision only. After participation in systemic consultation, the networks of people CMs consulted about the case were significantly smaller and they scored significantly higher on a network measure of efficiency of information flow. The CMs experienced lower levels of stress and higher perception of workplace functioning, these differences approached significance. After attending the consultation outcome, themes included a reduced sense of being stuck and stressed, becoming an agent of change and taking perspective. The approach allows CMs space for reflection on practice and new perspectives to be heard. Case management has been under‐represented in documented research and evidence‐based training and supervision models, and is an area in which professional theory appears to be lacking.     

Using tribal/State Title IV-E agreements to help American Indian tribes access foster care and adoption funding

Funding under Title IV-E has historically not been available to American Indian communities, therefore, tribes have had to develop agreements with states to access these funds for child care services. This study analyzes Title IV-E intergovernmental provisions to help tribes and states strengthen Title IV-E agreements. A nationwide content analysis of existing Title IV-E documents, phone interviews, and focus groups revealed that Title IV-E tribal/state agreements vary widely, with most tribes not receiving full access to state services. These agreements focus on foster care maintenance payments and services. This article includes recommendations to help facilitate tribal access to Title IV-E funding for foster care and adoption services.     

Dare to Care: Exploring the Relationships between Socio-Moral Climate,Perceived Stress,and Work Engagement in a Social Service Agency

Abstract

Human service professionals working in an interpersonal violence social service agency are at increased risk of experiencing emotional burnout, compassion fatigue, and high levels of stress, which may reduce work engagement, increase turnover, and ultimately negatively affect client outcomes. However, a positive organizational climate has the potential to buffer the negative effects of perceived stress on work engagement. Socio-moral climate is a behavioral-based organizational construct that assumes that workplace practices and procedures can impact employees’ attitudes and behaviors. This exploratory study (N?=?41) investigates the relationships between perceived stress, work engagement, and socio-moral climate in a social service agency serving survivors of interpersonal violence, comparing employees with direct interactions with clients in a shelter to those with indirect contact at a different location. Results of moderation analyses show that socio-moral climate significantly predicts higher work engagement, while perceived stress is negatively associated with work engagement; however, the interaction effect was not significant and there were no differences in perceived stress between both employees. Further research should continue to investigate the role of socio-moral climate on employee work engagement in social service agencies, which could improve the quality of services for their clients.