Occupational Therapy in Community-Based Practice Settings 2nd Edition by Marjorie Scaffa, Maggie Reitz

Exercise 3

Aundria
Aundria is a single 30-year-old Caucasian female with two children, ages 4 and 6. She has been unemployed since her first child was born, and she receives welfare benefits monthly. Her work history includes working as a cashier at a convenience store for 6 months and as a cashier at a doughnut shop for 2 weeks. Aundria also worked as a customer service representative for 1 year before her first child was born. Aundria completed 10 years of school before quitting due to heavy drug and alcohol use. Aundria is interested in attaining employment but is concerned about leaving her children when she goes to work.
Aundria enrolled in the Welfare to Work program and as a result was assigned a case manager who referred her to the occupational therapist on staff. The therapist completed an initial evaluation and developed an occupational profile on Aundria. As a result of this assessment and profile, the therapist implemented a plan for Aundria that included:
• therapeutic activities to increase specific job skills (i.e., role-play scenarios);
• connecting Aundria with community resources to assist with child care;
• identifying community resources to help Aundria work toward obtaining her GED;
• guiding Aundria through the process of searching for employment opportunities and applying for these opportunities; and
• meeting with potential employers to assess potential barriers to employment.
Aundria was compliant with the occupational therapy plan, and she had several positive outcomes as a result. She was attending GED classes and was planning to graduate in the next 2 months. Moreover, she had attained employment as a part-time customer service representative at a local retail store.
Aundria found a babysitter with a flexible schedule to attend to her children while she is at work or in classes. Aundria had the ultimate goals of obtaining her GED, becoming a full-time employee, and possibly attending college to obtain a degree that would make her eligible for a management position with her current employer.
What are three specific interventions that can help Aundria meet her goals?