Family Assessment

Family Assessment

4/30/2008

The family being assessed is an African American, single parent, matriarchal family, living in Baltimore City. Included in this family are the mother T.R. 34, son D.R. 17, daughter M.R. 15 and son M.R. 1. These children were conceived from 2 different relationships of which T.R. is now separated from. The two dads are still living but are not actively participating in the kid's lives. The fact that the dad aren't around doesn't seem to have an impact on the kids live at all. There are no previous marriages, nor is there a present relationship for Mom at this time. T.R. has a living mother age 48 and a father age 71. From the union of her mother and father, T.R. also has 2 living sisters, ages 31 and 33 and a brother who is 24. T.R. and the kids do visit these members of the extended family from time to time, but they do not help with daily up keep of T.R.'s family. Acquiring the information about this family took place by questioning them in the home they reside in, with all members present.

T.R. and her children live in a two story row home. From the front door, immediately up the stairs on the second floor, is the bathroom. To the right and down the hall of the bathroom are three bedrooms. The bedroom to the right, which is the front bedroom, is where T.R. sleeps. The bedroom to the left is M.R.'s room, and down the hall is where D.R. sleeps. M.R., the youngest of the three kids, shares a room with his older brother. On the main level of the home are the living room, dining room and the kitchen. Each room is occupied with all the appropriate pieces necessary for each room to be comfortable. In the dining there is a door leading to the steps of the basement. The basement is set up as a sitting room along with a separate room with a washer and dryer as well as a back door.

Each level of the home is equipped with working smoke detectors and one carbon monoxide detector as well. The home is finished with a fairly new paint job, with no visible signs of chipped paint. The outside of the home is in good up keep without poor sanitation noticed. The traffic coming through the neighborhood was fairly constant, with numerous amounts of children outside playing, as the weather is starting to get nice. Within a 5 mile radius there are community clinics, hospitals, playgrounds, rec-centers and all grade level schools and 3 churches. T.R. and the children get along well with the neighbors.

T.R. is a fortunate enough to have a job that keeps the bills paid at the moment. This seems to be a potential stressor for the family. T.R. did not complete high school; she dropped out one year before graduating. She now works at Bay view Medical Center as a patient service coordinator. T.R. gets paid every two weeks and works the 4p-12:30 shift, five days a week. She likes her job, but hopes to one day return to school to earn a degree in nursing. Other than the kids missing her while she is away at work, they realize that she has to keep a roof over their heads, therefore, it doesn't seem to bother them.

All members of this family were all born in Baltimore City, and have lived there all their lives. Although T.R. was raised in church and has a Christian background, she and the children very seldom attend services. The faith they practice has