Certified Case Manager Practice Test

What action should a counselor take when evaluating a family for case closure after abuse?

1. Make recommendations for ongoing support

2. Assess the parent's coping mechanisms

3. Initiate contact with the child's school

4. Observe the reestablishment of family routines

The correct answer is: Assess the parent's coping mechanisms

When evaluating a family for case closure after experiencing abuse, assessing the parent's coping mechanisms is crucial. This action helps determine whether the parent has developed the necessary skills and support systems to manage the stresses and challenges that may arise in the aftermath of abuse. Understanding how a parent copes allows the counselor to gauge the family's overall stability and readiness to function independently without ongoing intervention. Additionally, this assessment provides insight into the parent's emotional health and ability to respond to their children's needs effectively. If the parent shows strong coping mechanisms, it can indicate a positive trajectory toward a healthy family dynamic that can be sustained post-intervention. Without this understanding, closing the case prematurely could leave the family vulnerable to relapse or further issues, undermining the progress made. In contrast, while recommendations for ongoing support and observations of family routines are important aspects of case management, they do not assess the immediate capabilities of the parent to sustain a safe and supportive home environment. Initiating contact with the child's school is also a valuable action, but it primarily involves external support systems rather than focusing directly on the parent's ability to manage their family situation, which is essential for evaluating readiness for case closure.