Title: Evaluate sources of formal and informal support available to families and family members.
Course: Family Relations (19259-18) > Section: Dealing with Family Stress, Conflict, and Crisis

Evaluation should include

- identifying a variety of family-, community-, and employment-related resources
- assessing support systems for reliability
- dealing with barriers to gaining support.

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

- How might a family’s support system change over the family life cycle?
- What are the consequences for families who lack adequate support systems?
- What are the benefits for families who obtain adequate support systems?
- What are local examples of teens using these sources of support?
- What are possible barriers to gaining support for a family?

Communication

- How do support systems help families deal with stress, conflict, and crisis?
- What factors influence the family’s attitudes and beliefs about support systems?
- What communication skills are needed to access formal and informal support systems?
- How are communication skills used to evaluate resources?

Leadership

- What barriers do families face when attempting to find support?
- What ethical issues may arise when selecting sources of support?
- What ethical issues arise when referring another to sources for support?
- What leadership skills can help you properly evaluate sources of support?

Management

- What criteria can be used to decide whether a support source is appropriate for a particular situation?
- What management strategies may help families access appropriate sources of support?
- How can we accept responsibility during times of family crisis?
- What are ways that places of employment can offer formal or informal resources to a family?