Working Alliance is of utmost importance between the youth service and Megan (Thompson, Bender, Lantry, & Flynn, 2007). In a complex social service system, the role of interagency collaboration for Megan’s case management cannot be highlighted enough (O’Reilly et al., 2013). Megan’s co-morbid problems are interrelated and need to be addressed concurrently. The caseworker will face a number of challenges and organisational barriers when attempting to collaborate with other services to address Megan’s needs holistically (Beadle, 2009).
Short-Term recommendations
A therapeutic relationship with the case manager and agency collectively.
Health examination to determine if she is pregnant.
Optimal contraceptive use.
A comprehensive mental health screening: including PTSD, suicide and depression assessment.
To read the contents of the letter from DHS to determine the details.
Substance abuse assessment [CRAFTT questions].
Long-Term recommendations
Psychotherapy to address her psychosocial needs.
Identity and self image need lots of work through training and workshops.
An essential component in building resilience is through education and vocational recovery.
Harm minimisation approach: substance abuse and alcohol.
Increased use of services to benefit parenting capacity, reduce social isolation and increase confidence (Halliday & Wilkinson, 2009). Management Plan In light of the evidence (Alexander & Sked, 2010) regarding how to create effective multi-agency meetings for Megan’s case management, the caseworker aimed to create a model which facilitated meaningful inclusion and collaboration of multi-agencies, using solution focused principles throughout the process. Bisognano and Kennedy (2012) reiterate that the ‘overarching goals of the inter professional collaboration are to improve patients’ health, their experience with care, and reduce the cost of care’ (cited in Ogenchuk, Spurr, & Bally, 2013, p. 293). Unfortunately, time and again, young people with co-morbid needs continue to have worse outcomes compared to young people who have a single issue (Rogers, 2005) and the caseworker is aware of this factor. Hence to prevent fragmentation, designating one agency as the primary contact both for the client and the other agencies is an effective approach (Rockville, 2000). The caseworker of the Youth Service Megan has approached decides to act as the primary agency and collaborate with other agencies on behalf of Megan to alleviate major presenting issues. There are only a handful of agencies and organisations that provide services specifically for young people. A lack of specialist support services for young people makes referral difficult (Rose & Atkins, 2006). It is unfortunate that as soon as an adolescent turns 18 years old they are left out in the cold trying to grapple with the system and mostly slipping through the gaps. Megan is advised on current pro-active alternatives which the caseworker would be willing to investigate. The caseworker consistently apprises her on alternative choices and their availability. As a primary agency, the caseworker will request the in-house nurse to administer a pregnancy test. Secondly, the caseworker performs a holistic and comprehensive assessment that will include medical/psychiatric history, substance abuse patterns [The CRAFFT questions], work history, housing situation, physical / sexual abuse history [ SCID], suicide risk assessment and depressive disorder. This assessment will accompany Megan throughout the referral process and avoid one of the biggest challenges in collaborative work when all agencies use different assessment tools to gather the same information (Rockville, 2000). The third step is secondary consultation, and for this purpose, the caseworker has highlighted potential collaborators: Headspace [National Youth Mental Health Foundation] Orygen Youth Health (OYH) Youth Support and Advocacy Service [YSAS] Reachout [ Online Mental Health Organisation] Mind Victoria [ Supporting Mental Health Recovery] Beyondblue [Depression & Anxiety] Counselling services for addressing psychosocial needs. 3 million people are living with anxiety and depression in Australia (Beyondblue, 2016) with approx one out of four adolescent experiencing a mental or substance …show more content…
Statistics show prevalence of mental health problems among adolescents rises to 19% among the 13-17 year olds and increases again to 27% among young adults aged 18-24 (cited in McGorry, Purcell, Hickie, & Jorm, 2007). This cohort is vulnerable and exhaustive research points towards early intervention as key to addressing their needs. A number of studies have explored the needs of young people, including high-risk youth (Resnick et al., 1997). Recommendations include being non-judgemental, youth friendly, confidential, respectful (Clark,
Short-Term recommendations
A therapeutic relationship with the case manager and agency collectively.
Health examination to determine if she is pregnant.
Optimal contraceptive use.
A comprehensive mental health screening: including PTSD, suicide and depression assessment.
To read the contents of the letter from DHS to determine the details.
Substance abuse assessment [CRAFTT questions].
Long-Term recommendations
Psychotherapy to address her psychosocial needs.
Identity and self image need lots of work through training and workshops.
An essential component in building resilience is through education and vocational recovery.
Harm minimisation approach: substance abuse and alcohol.
Increased use of services to benefit parenting capacity, reduce social isolation and increase confidence (Halliday & Wilkinson, 2009). Management Plan In light of the evidence (Alexander & Sked, 2010) regarding how to create effective multi-agency meetings for Megan’s case management, the caseworker aimed to create a model which facilitated meaningful inclusion and collaboration of multi-agencies, using solution focused principles throughout the process. Bisognano and Kennedy (2012) reiterate that the ‘overarching goals of the inter professional collaboration are to improve patients’ health, their experience with care, and reduce the cost of care’ (cited in Ogenchuk, Spurr, & Bally, 2013, p. 293). Unfortunately, time and again, young people with co-morbid needs continue to have worse outcomes compared to young people who have a single issue (Rogers, 2005) and the caseworker is aware of this factor. Hence to prevent fragmentation, designating one agency as the primary contact both for the client and the other agencies is an effective approach (Rockville, 2000). The caseworker of the Youth Service Megan has approached decides to act as the primary agency and collaborate with other agencies on behalf of Megan to alleviate major presenting issues. There are only a handful of agencies and organisations that provide services specifically for young people. A lack of specialist support services for young people makes referral difficult (Rose & Atkins, 2006). It is unfortunate that as soon as an adolescent turns 18 years old they are left out in the cold trying to grapple with the system and mostly slipping through the gaps. Megan is advised on current pro-active alternatives which the caseworker would be willing to investigate. The caseworker consistently apprises her on alternative choices and their availability. As a primary agency, the caseworker will request the in-house nurse to administer a pregnancy test. Secondly, the caseworker performs a holistic and comprehensive assessment that will include medical/psychiatric history, substance abuse patterns [The CRAFFT questions], work history, housing situation, physical / sexual abuse history [ SCID], suicide risk assessment and depressive disorder. This assessment will accompany Megan throughout the referral process and avoid one of the biggest challenges in collaborative work when all agencies use different assessment tools to gather the same information (Rockville, 2000). The third step is secondary consultation, and for this purpose, the caseworker has highlighted potential collaborators: Headspace [National Youth Mental Health Foundation] Orygen Youth Health (OYH) Youth Support and Advocacy Service [YSAS] Reachout [ Online Mental Health Organisation] Mind Victoria [ Supporting Mental Health Recovery] Beyondblue [Depression & Anxiety] Counselling services for addressing psychosocial needs. 3 million people are living with anxiety and depression in Australia (Beyondblue, 2016) with approx one out of four adolescent experiencing a mental or substance …show more content…
Statistics show prevalence of mental health problems among adolescents rises to 19% among the 13-17 year olds and increases again to 27% among young adults aged 18-24 (cited in McGorry, Purcell, Hickie, & Jorm, 2007). This cohort is vulnerable and exhaustive research points towards early intervention as key to addressing their needs. A number of studies have explored the needs of young people, including high-risk youth (Resnick et al., 1997). Recommendations include being non-judgemental, youth friendly, confidential, respectful (Clark,