Case Study for Chapter 3: Generalist Social Work Practice

Amy, a generalist social worker in a Mid-Atlantic State, works with girls in the criminal justice system charged with status offenses including truancy, curfew violations, and running away. Through her work, Amy discovered that each year a disproportionate number of status offenses are brought against girls. Amy wonders why this occurs and what she can do to better understand this trend. Consider how Amy can use the change process to learn about the needs of the girls she works with and how that information could be used to change gender–responsive choices of the criminal justice system.

1. Whom would it be important for Amy to engage with during the first stage of the change process? Consider both people who can help her to effect change and those who can help her have a more accurate scope of the problem.
2. What roadblocks might Amy encounter in her efforts to both define and address this problem?