Mateo Torres (he/him) is a 12 year-old Hispanic cisgender male currently residing in Jacksonville, Florida with a foster care family. He has been with this foster family for six months. Prior to this foster placement, Mateo lived with his biological mother, his grandmother, and their two cats. A Child Protective Services report was filed by Mateo’s teacher following an asthma attack at school. It was revealed that Mateo had developed a respiratory infection, and he had not been to the doctor since he was an infant. Mateo also hasn’t received many of the mandatory vaccinations required for school, due to lack of education and overall skepticism from his biological mother. Mateo’s biological father is incarcerated, his grandmother is diagnosed with Dementia, and his mother has a history of Substance Use Disorder.
Now it is six months later, and he gets along with his foster family, but his biological mother is seeking reunification. Since his mother was mistrusting of vaccines, Mateo did not receive the MMR vaccine. Because he has not had these vaccinations, he is being asked to stay home from school due to a measles outbreak in the area. While his foster parents are interested in changing Mateo’s vaccination status due to worries about his asthma and the outbreak, his birth parents are adamant that he stay unvaccinated.
Mateo has also experienced difficulties acclimating to his new school. Since he was placed with a foster family, he had to transfer to a new school district in the middle of the school year. He has also had a significant number absences due to illness, leading to academic decline and behavior problems in class.
As reunification efforts with his biological parents are underway, the family will require education on navigating healthcare systems, accessing vaccine assistance, and supporting Mateo’s physical and behavioral health needs. Collaboration among social workers, medical professionals, school staff, and caregivers will be essential to create a comprehensive care plan that addresses his health conditions, improves school attendance, and supports a stable transition home.
Discussion Questions:
- What interventions could social workers use to support Mateo’s health, educational, and behavioral needs?
- Who should be involved in Mateo’s treatment plan to ensure continuity of care and support reunification goals?
- How can social workers, medical professionals, and caregivers collaborate to address Mateo’s presenting problems holistically?
Social Work Roles and Resources 