Case Studies

Family Profiles

Family Profiles are case studies for analyzing service systems and policies that affect the quality of care for young children. Questions for discussion follow each profile. Additionally, Family Profiles: Identifying Local or State Resources and Barriers to Quality Child Care is a form intended as a guide for analyzing resources, barriers and solutions.

Family Profile #1: The Sussman Family

Cindy and John stopped participating in their continuing education programs to care for their unplanned son Matthew and now a second child Ariel. Cindy's feeling disenchanted with motherhood because working full time is not what she had envisioned and the couple is fighting more and more over finances. Cindy's also concerned about the quality of care Matthew and Ariel receive at the Daffy Duck day care center--a center that is convenient for the one car family since it's located within walking distance of their apartment.

Family Profile #2: The Green Family

Dorothy Green thought she was finishing with raising babies, but now Brianna, her youngest, has lost custody of Jonathan (age 3) and Kisha (10 months) due to neglect. While Brianna is in drug rehabilitation Dorothy is taking care of Jonathan and Kisha, but it's exhausting work. Especially now that Dorothy's other daughter Lynette drops her two children off at Dorothy's three days a week.

Family Profile #3: The Lambert Family

Stacy Lambert, 19 years old, lives in a not so safe neighborhood but at least she has an apartment of her own for herself and her three children Lucas (age 4), LaTeisha (age 2 1/2), and John Ray (8 weeks). Before John Ray's birth she used to walk the six blocks to Lucas's Head Start every day. But now she's too tired in the morning from staying up late with her friends and finds it easier to just keep all the kids at home. She doesn't understand why her social worker thinks it's such a big deal that Lucas attend Head Start. Stacey thinks Lucas can just learn his ABCs from Sesame Street like every other kid does.

Family Profile #4: The Carter Family

Elaine and Larry Carter hardly see each other anymore. Elaine stays home during the day with William (age 3) and Elliott (age 2) while Alicia (age 6) is at school. Then Elaine does the 4pm to 12am shift at the kitchen appliance factory while Larry takes care of the kids at night. For the first time in years the Carters are finally able to start saving money to buy a home of their own since Elaine's salary no longer goes to pay for child care. But are the monetary savings coming at a high cost to the health of the family?

Family Profiles: Identifying Local or State Resources and Barriers to Quality Child Care

Form for students to use with the family profiles in order to analyze child and family needs, existing resources, barriers or gaps in the system, and potential solutions.