CLINICAL UPDATE

     The 16 year old, the oldest child, lives with his Mexican family in a private religious day camp and resort for affluent big city folks where dad works as a year round 24-7 building and equipment maintenance man.

     On the Friday of his Court hearing, KM refused to provide a urine sample and was detained an extra two hours until he complied.  Two days later (Sunday) police were again called after KM stole his mother's portable phone and threatened to smash it.  On Monday the intake PO asked our assigned youthworker to visit immediately, stating that “parents have no control over KM” and that he is extremely defiant and disrespectful.  (On one occasion, following a KM runaway and his message home that he was now living in another county and wouldn't be returning, when the police were unable to offer definitive help, KM “laughed in his parent's face”.)  In addition, other therapeutic interventions, such as 'wraparound' had also failed.

     At the initial meeting, our Latino youthworker, fluent in Spanish (the parents spoke little English), who is also an LSW trained family therapist, struggled to establish a coherent communicational flow.  As mom – more language competent than dad – began giving background family information, KM immediately interrupted and demanded that his mother “shut the f*** up”.  Later in the session (which lasted several hours) KM was able to slowly calm down and eventually stated to his parents, “I hear you but stop calling the police on me for everything I do”.  He also was slowly able to keep the lid on himself as the parents continued, even when they repeatedly asked KM why he kept threatening to expose their immigration status.

     Slowly, our skilled youthworker led KM through what would happen if he did so.  His 14 year old sister, who is afraid of KM finally came out of her bedroom and joined the conversation.

     This was a clear turning point.  KM began to get personal, explaining that he was 'living on a plantation'.

     Attending an alternative school in another county.

     No friends in the neighborhood.

     No friends allowed to visit at the Camp.

     No permission to leave even if he had places he could legitimately visit.

     An almost completely impossible life for a normal 16 year old.

     He felt completely trapped with nothing to do.

     As the session finally concluded, KM walked the youthworker out to his car and asked for another meeting.

     Our youthworker took him places.

     Helped to open up social avenues and meet new friends.

     There were no more calls to the police.

     KM got a part-time job and found a girlfriend.

     The girlfriend was officially classified as “homeless” and also had a PO.

     With permission from the appropriate authorities, she eventually moved in.

     We assisted her with straightening out her school situation.

     We then were able to successfully address the tension this caused with KM's siblings, especially his sister.

     As the case was being eventually closed by the PO, the family became distraught at no more meetings, no contact, etc..  

     We promised to perhaps visit and keep in touch.

     And we have.

     End of story.

P.S.  The family eventually planned and went on a 1½ week vacation to upstate NY and they all became good swimmers. Our youthworker gave them specific instructions on how to behave and what to do and not do while in uncharted waters.

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