Engaging Resistant Clients

Level: Advanced Practice-Lineworker

Credits: 6

Intended Audience: Experienced child welfare services personnel working directly with clients or staff transitioning from one child welfare position to another.

Intended Objectives:

• Provide the worker with familiarity of common resistance patterns exhibited by families involved in the Child Welfare System.
• Increase knowledge of effective interventions to engage resistant clients in completing case plan objectives.

Topics Include:

• Resistance as an adaptive coping mechanism
• Resistance patterns
• Stages of change & behavior
• Fears associated with change
• Main dynamics involved in resistance
• Cultural considerations
• Effect on kids
• Worker’s reaction
• Case Planning
• Case Management utilizing strength based approach

CalSWEC Competencies Addressed:

3.07 Worker assesses family dynamics, including interactions and relationships, roles, power, communication patterns, functional and dysfunctional behaviors and other family processes.