Genogram

 

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Genogram

Visual, mutigenerational representation of familial relationships and patterns of behavior.  

 

GenoGram

Risk Assessment

Ecomap

During the December 2000 ILF, we agreed that the 3 tools from the Family Assessment Prong of the Pitchfork should be seen as interdependent elements of the Family Assessment process - with the genogram and the ecomap serving to elaborate on elements contained within the Risk Assessment. We agreed that we do not advocate major duplication of information within the 3 tools, but rather we support the cross-referencing of relevant information (i.e. See Risk Assessment element A). 

Policy Statement – 1st Draft

We believe that visually depicting the family system into which we are intervening is a crucial element of the Family Assessment prong of the Pitchfork in that it promotes a broader understanding the family's dynamics and the factors that impact the safety of the child. 

The Case Load Analysis ILF sets the following minimum standards for a Genogram:

bulletGenograms must cover at least 3 generations.
bulletGenograms must exist for all cases prior to a decision to "transfer for ongoing services".
bulletGenograms must be completed for all dependency referrals. 
bulletGenograms must be completed for all cases where a Family Group Conference is to be held.
bulletGenograms must be updated every time a FRAM is updated.

Suggested Measures

bulletAre they completed as required (the ILF defines "completed" so as to include not only completed, but completed to the third generation)? What percentage of required Genograms are actually completed? (How many were actually done/ How Many should have been done? = completion %).  

A future quality measure may include a check for whether information is present that addresses each of the following Issues:

    1. Substance Abuse
    2. Mental Health/Emotional issues
    3. Criminal Activities
    4. Domestic Violence/Physical Abuse
    5. Health/Disabilities
    6. History of Child Abuse/Neglect (Victim and perp, Highlight any past removals)
    7. Relationships between members of the family system (broader than just immediate family)

It is a great start to set up a system that measures whether the information identified above is present. A future enhancement to this system might be further defining what is specifically required in each of the areas above (i.e. the quality of the information present versus just that information is present).

System Elements Required

  1. System for determining how many Genograms should have been completed and how many actually were? Where is the data collection point for this?

  2. System (checklist?) for use during evaluation of genogram.

  3. System for recording the results (for both A and B above) that is capable of displaying data by individual, team, and department or agency. System should also track trends – not just last month but each month. Are we getting better or worse.

  4. Regular review process to assess results and make decisions about actions required improving if needed.  

  5. Also, consideration needs to be given to how best to make Genograms rich with info but easily readable.  

The Measures Team

There is a team working to develop the systems necessary to implement cross county performance measures for the elements on the Family Assessment prong of the pitchfork. For more info, click here Measures Team