Navigating The Grey Areas

Description

Our scenario merges three institutions; two very clinical settings, and one AOP setting. In the scenario we have a single woman who has just given birth to a sick child, who also has a child in elementary school. While dealing with the stress of a sick newborn who has been hospitalized, the mothers stress has taken a toll on her health, as well as her eldest's sons. The doctors in the hospital have noticed the mom is skipping meals because she wants to stay by her newborns side, and her son is often dropped off/picked up late from school. The teachers have noticed the child's lunches are becoming quite unhealthy; often fast food or store bought pre-prepared lunches. The staff at the school are aware of the child's home situation and have become concerned that the child may become neglected. The school has been in contact with children's aid society. The interdisciplinary team meeting takes place in the hospital in the conference room. The midwife, hospital social worker, CAS worker, teachers assistant, school social worker and infants nurse are meeting to discuss possible supports to offer to the mother. The woman's midwife has become concerned about the woman's mental and physical health and has requested a referral for the hospital's social worker to meet with the woman to discuss setting up supports to help the woman cope. The social worker knows about the second child and has asked to set up a meeting with the child's school social worker, and the teachers assistant who the child is quite close with. The school has called CAS due to issues of neglect, the families case worker will also be present in the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to implement supports and strategies to help the family cope during this stressful time.