Christina (age 13) has lived with her grandmother, aunt, and younger siblings since she was eight. She
has no contact with her mother or father. Christina’s grandmother has threatened to send her away. For
this reason, Christina does not believe that she will remain in her grandmother’s care for more than
another year. Out of any place in the world, Christina would like to live with her friends. However, since
Christina is generally happy living with her family, her second choice is to continue living where she is.
Christina perceives that her grandmother has negative expectations for her future. According to
Christina, her grandmother thinks Christina will end up like her mother -- a “drug addict” and “always in
trouble with the police.” In fact, the police arrested Christina after she beat someone up near her home.
Since then, Christina’s grandmother has attempted to supervise Christina more carefully, but Christina
says that her grandmother does not know where she is most of the time. Meanwhile, Christina thinks
positively about her future. She expects that she will be happy and successful. She does not want or
expect to be like her mother. She also expects that she will graduate from high school, go to college, and
get a job. More specifically, Christina said that she wants to be a lawyer or “someone who works to get
teenagers off the streets.”
1. What are the positive aspects of Christina’s experience in out-of-home care?
2. What are your concerns?
3. How would you address your concerns?
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