A co-worker of mine recently relocated to a different state. Now, as you can understand, the turnover rate for social workers in this job is high. People quit often; it's just something we have come to normalize. And while this occurs frequently, it makes the workload of those brave (or dumb, however you look at it) workers who stay increase.
So back to my friend who left the office a few weeks ago...her cases were divided between the rest of us. And lucky me, I get possibly the most complicated case I have ever worked. Here's the story:
Teenage female who is very low-functioning and who has a plethora of mental health diagnoses is committed to the Commonwealth of KY (ward of the state). She was involuntarily re-committed when she turned 18 because she simply cannot function independently...I mean, seriously- suicidal, aggressive, sexually-active, resistant to authority...and now- homicidal. NOT a good combo is you ask me.
Right before her previous case worker left she had a "placement disruption" and had to be moved again; she has had no fewer than 10 different placements in just the past couple of years. Well, as my luck would have it, the first week of being case manager of this little fire-ball, she tries setting her foster home on fire. No lie. Luckily, only the wreath on the front door and the bushes actually catch fire, but nonetheless- it's a close call.
For obvious reasons the foster family puts in their 2 week notice (after she threatens to follow through and set the family's son on fire when everyone is asleep). She was admitted to a "hospital" where they will only keep her 3-6 days. This chick has literally been in every placement this side of the Mississippi. We have NO where to place her (Oh and to top it off, this family has other younger children still living at home who are probably getting ready to be removed due to similar behavioral problems and the fact that their bio mom may die at any moment).
In this situation, I have to ask: What good are we doing? In no way are we helping this family. I would even claim that there is no way we could help this family due to the severity of their mental health issues. It is moments like these in which I feel defeated. I really have no solution.
I am in a pickle. NOT very excited about Monday morning.
(I will now re-read my 'Grateful' post for some encouragement)
Blessings,
KMaup
I have absolutely no idea what it is like to do your job and believe me...after teaching, I have learned that nobody can really understand unless you have been in it. However, if I could offer advice I'd say try and look at it as if you did absolutely all you could do that is possible to do. It sucks you can't do more, however, we are both Christians and I'd say just pray for her and I will too. The Lord loves her so much and he has a plan. You received her case for a reason and if theres nothing more you can physically do...go the spiritual route. Hope this helps!
ReplyDelete