Handout 4:
Family Scenario: The Reagan Family

Instructions:
During the first two months in Head Start, Mr. Reagan had several formal and informal meetings with Head Start and community staff Read the first portion of the scenario and stop to document all staff-family interactions and pertinent information on handout 5. Then, move on to the next interaction. Repeat steps until all interactions have been documented

1. You are a family service worker. A parent conies in today looking tired and worn out. He signs the walk-rn enrollment list and sits down. The two children with him are dirty and one is crying. You look on the list and ask for Mr. Reagan. The man does not respond. One little girl goes over to the man and taps him on the leg and points to you. The man comes over, extends his hand and says, "Good afternoon, I would like my children to be in Head Start. I am deaf and need an interpreter." You set an appointment date for next week.
   
   
   
   
2. Today, you and an interpreter meet with Mr. Reagan. During the meeting, Mr. Reagan tells you that one of his children, Laura, is deaf. Mr. Reagan is a single parent and has recently moved into the area to find work. He is living with friends, but needs to find an apartment that will accept children and pets. He also needs child care for his girls while he looks for a job. He is currently receiving unemployment compensation, which ends soon.
   
   
   
   
3. Today, you, along with the health coordinator and an interpreter, meet with Mr. Reagan. During the meeting, Mr. Reagan says he has some hearing, but his hearing aid is broken. His girls have had all of their immunizations and are in good health, but he has no money to buy winter coats for his daughters.
   
   
   
   
4. Today, you are meeting with Laura's teacher. An LEP meeting will be scheduled as soon as all the testing and observations are completed. The teacher tells you she is pleased at how well Laura gets her point across to the other children, even though her speech is difficult to understand. The teacher also states that Laura seems very happy when she is in the classroom, but she has observed some skill delays. As you are talking, Mr. Reagan comes to pick up Laura and asks how she is doing.
   
   
   
   
5. Today, you are meeting with the case worker from the department of vocational rehabilitation, the interpreter, and Mr. Reagan to see about Social Security Income and job training. The caseworker is not very considerate of Mr Reagan's situation. She states, "This is the way the State works and there are no exceptions." You get the feeling she is making Mr. Reagan regret this whole ordeal. You suggest to the caseworker that it might be helpful to hear what Mr. Reagan has to say about his family's goals, but the caseworker says that she doesn't have the time. Everyone leaves the meeting a little tense.
   
   
   
   
6. Today, you are in a meeting with Mr. Reagan, the teacher, the health coordinator, and the interpreter to develop an Individualized Education Plan for Laura. Mr. Reagan is very pleased to learn that a local church will give him $100 to buy winter coats. The health coordinator explains that a special city fund can pay for repairs to Mr. Reagan's hearing aid. Mr. Reagan also learns that a second meeting with the vocational rehabilitation case worker is planned for next week. Mr. Reagan is reluctant to attend. You encourage him to go and talk with the caseworker. Mr. Reagan says that he might go to tell her how he feels.
   
   
   
   
7. Today, you had the meeting with the vocational rehabilitation case worker, the interpreter and Mr. Reagan. The meeting was not as bad as you thought it would be. Mr. Reagan was able to tell the caseworker that he felt "let down" after the last meeting, and she admitted that stress from budget cuts was really getting to her. She apologized for her past behavior. It seems as though the Reagan family will be eligible for Social Security Income and job training for Mr. Reagan. Mr. Reagan must take some aptitude tests before the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation can finalize plans for job training.
   
   
   
   
8. You don't see Mr. Reagan as often now. From what the teachers are saying, his girls are doing fine. You were passing through the center today and you saw Mr. Reagan. You showed him that you had learned a few words in sign language, and he said that he was very proud of you.
   
   
   
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