Evaluating Your Response

Becky, age 8, stole some small articles from the local drug store. Her mother spanked her, leaving welts and bruises.

Billy, age 12, has missed 37 days of school so far this year. It is February, and you are concerned he will be held back because of this. Billy had attendance problems and failed last year. When making a home visit, you find him home with numerous younger siblings who are fighting and injuring each other. Billy cannot control them, and the situation is chaotic and alarmingly out of control. Billy has no idea where his mother is or when she will return.

At times, the Shaw girls come to school appearing to be hungry. On numerous occasions, they have no lunch. The days they do have lunch, it is often not enough. Other than this, the girls are well loved and cared for. The girls are typically quiet, private children, but in talking to them you learn that their father does seasonal work and is often between jobs. Your school offers a breakfast and lunch program that the family might qualify for.

Mrs. Young is a divorced woman with three children under school age. She is fond of her children and gives them good physical care. She is sexually promiscuous, however, and often has men staying overnight at her apartment.