Spring 2026 SOWK 487w Week 02 - Understanding and Assessing Families

A presentation at Heritage University in January 2026 by Jacob Campbell and is tagged with Heritage University, BASW Program, SOWK 487w

A black presentation slide features white stick figure families along the bottom. Large text reads: “Working with Families Part I: Understanding and Assessing Families.” Details include a course and instructor name.

The slide outlines plans and learning objectives for 'Week 2,' including activities like 'Genogram cutout' and themes of 'Strengths perspective.' It highlights family systems theory and assessment principles for dynamics analysis.Learning Objectives:- Group activity for client implementation- Strength identification in family systems- Family structure analysis from social work perspective- Family systems theory: homeostasis, roles, rules- Systems framework for family dynamics evaluationPresented by Heritage University, Jacob Campbell, Ph.D., LICSW, SOWK 487w, Spring 2026.

Diagram features geometric symbols connected by lines, indicating a family structure. Text reads: 'Genogram Cutout Activity.' Additional text: 'Heritage University, Jacob Campbell, Ph.D., LICSW, SOWK 487w Spring 2026.' Context includes small human icon graphics at the bottom.

The image depicts a cluttered living room with one person reading on a couch and another cooking. Text prompts identify 12 to 15 positive household aspects. (National CASA Association, 2007)

A cartoon boy waves on a black background. Text reads 'What Families Provide.' Additional text includes 'Heritage University, Jacob Campbell, Ph.D., LICSW' and 'SOWK 487w Spring 2026.'

A cartoon family stands together smiling on a black background. Text reads: 'What Families Provide,' 'Heritage University,' 'Jacob Campbell, Ph.D., LICSW,' 'SOWK 487w,' 'Spring 2026.'

A cartoon family stands together with six labeled bubbles describing family functions: 'Provide for physical needs,' 'Procreation,' 'Provide secure attachment bonds,' 'Primary socialization of children,' 'Regulate sexuality,' 'Satisfy emotional needs.' Text: 'What Families Provide' and academic credits at the bottom.

Illustrated families in various groupings stand together, expressing diversity. The context includes the text: 'Different Families — Same Love' and a quote about family dynamics. Educational presentation by Heritage University.

Object: Cartoon birds on see-saws Action: Balancing Context: Illustrated cycle with arrows, labeled 'Balance' and 'Feedback loops.'Text: 'Homeostasis: 'Families may try to maintain the status quo in response to family transitions...'' Reference: Hepworth et al., 2023, p. 196. Labels: 'Heritage University,' 'Jacob Campbell, Ph.D., LICSW,' 'SOWK 487w Spring 2026.'

**Object**: Diagram**Action**: Displays relationship between disengagement and enmeshment**Context**: Includes terms like 'Boundaries & Boundary Maintenance,' 'Unique families,' and mentions 'Internal vs. External' with 'Subsystems.' References Heritage University and Jacob Campbell.- 'Disengagement' (diffused boundaries) <-----> 'Enmeshment' (inappropriately rigid)- Unique: 'families unique style, cultural preferences, strengths, and needs'- 'Internal vs. External'- 'Subsystems'- Attribution: 'Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2015'- Course: 'SOWK 487w Spring 2026'

Slide titled 'Family Decision Making, Hierarchy, and Power' lists key points: Historic/Context, Reason for distribution, Covert power, Power flexibility, Family perspective. Includes design icons and attribution text.

The image features a Venn diagram with overlapping circles labeled 'Enacted,' 'Perceived,' and 'Prescribed,' illustrating 'Family Roles.' The slide includes text: 'Heritage University, Jacob Campbell, Ph.D., LICSW,' and 'SOWK 487v Spring 2026.'

A slide displays a diagram with 'Family Rules' at the top, featuring a red square labeled 'Explicit' inside a green square. An arrow titled 'Flexible' to 'Rigid' spans the bottom. The slide mentions 'Heritage University,' Jacob Campbell, and the course 'SOWK 487w Spring 2026.'

A pink box displays the words 'Members, Roles, Norms, Values, Rules' against a black background. Above reads, 'What About Your Family?' Below are icons and text: 'Heritage University, Jacob Campbell, Ph.D., LICSW, SOWK 487w, Spring 2026.'

Three figures representing family members stand over colored boxes labeled 'Verbal,' 'Nonverbal,' and 'Contextual,' illustrating communication styles. An arrow connects the figures, labeled 'Congruence and Clarity of Communication.' Text attributes the content to Heritage University, Jacob Campbell, Ph.D.

Two groups of human icons face each other. Text explains 'Communication Styles of Family Members.' Sender skills include 'I messages,' while receiver skills involve 'paraphrasing' and 'brief responses.' Context suggests a family dynamic.

A person in a red jacket sits, gesturing thoughtfully with a pen, in an indoor setting with plants. Text reads: 'Communication Styles of Family Members,' 'Insoo Kim Berg Solution-Focused Family Therapy Video (PsychotherapyNet, 2009),' 'Heritage University Jacob Campbell, Ph.D. LICSW,' 'SOWK 487w Spring 2026.'

The slide presents a 'Family Systems Framework Assessment' with dimensions like homeostasis, boundaries, family roles, and social environment, in a black background with white text and small icons. A red dialogue box prompts a review of a related handout. Heritage University credits are noted at the bottom.

Presentation slide displaying the 'Family Life Cycle,' listing six stages: unattached young adult, new couple, family with young children, family with adolescents, launching children, and later life. Text references include Heritage University, Jacob Campbell, Ph.D., LICSW, and a course code SOWK 487w, Spring 2026. An image strip at the bottom depicts silhouettes of various family stages.

House and family icons are displayed on a purple oval labeled 'Social Environment' against a black background. Text includes: 'Heritage University,' 'Jacob Campbell, Ph.D., LICSW,' and 'SOWK 487w, Spring 2026.'

The slide features two overlapping magenta circles titled 'Family Stressors' and 'Family Strengths & Resilience,' above yellow rectangles with text. Key points include 'Family Cycle,' 'Social support,' 'Internal cohesion and commitment.'

Portrait style photo of Jacob Campbell

Dr. Jacob Campbell

21 slides

Description

For the first four weeks of class, we will focus on groups in family work. This week you will read Hepworth et al. (2023) Chapter 10 Assessing Family Functioning in Diverse Family and Cultural Contexts. The assessment is the foundation for any successful service. Some of the dimensions we must look at include: family structure, including homeostasis, boundaries, power and decision-making, roles, rules, life cycle, and sociopolitical environment

Genogram cutout activity
Strengths perspective and families
Engagement and assessment with families

Learning Objectives include:

Engaging in a group activity that can later be implemented with clients
Identify and articulate strengths within family systems using a strengths-based perspective.
Describe core functions and diverse structures of families from a generalist social work lens.
Explain key concepts of family systems theory, including homeostasis, roles, rules, boundaries, and communication styles.
Apply foundational assessment principles to analyze family dynamics using a systems framework.