Cowger Matrix Of Framework

What is assessment in social work? We can describe it as gathering any information about a particular person, environment and how they intertwine. We can describe it as a means to find a solution to any given circumstance that may arise in a clients’ life. Finally, we can describe it as the social worker helping the client find where their strengths lie and how to access and use them for good. Hepworth et al (2013) suggests that assessment is both a process and a product. The process is the gathering of information during time with a specific case in being active in trying to recognize and understand the reason the client is seeking service. The product assessment is when all information is gathered and a description can be made of circumstances
Although diagnosis is important, when social workers focus only on deficits or diagnosis, they may fail to also look at strengths and resources. Cowger Matrix Framework for Assessment was developed in an attempt to avoid focus on only deficits and more on the needs and strengths of individual clients (Hepworth et al, 2013). Cowger Matrix of Framework has four sections; strengths or resources and deficits, challenges or obstacles which are on a vertical axis and environmental factors (family and community) and individual or personal factors which are on a horizontal axis. The framework gives social workers a visual perspective that they can identify both needs and strengths and how they are related to environment or individual factors. In a scenario presented about a family whose father is in prison for sexually assaulting one of his children, we will focus on one of the children; a young girl named Lorene using the Cowger Matrix of Framework for Assessment. In this hypothetical scenario, I am a social worker at a middle school where Lorene attends. Before I meet with Lorene, I need to understand what a strength or asset is and how to define it properly. Saleeby describes the Lexicon of Strengths as; plasticity, empowerment, membership, resilience and healing and wholeness (2013). By helping Lorene understand her strengths whereas before she may have not known existed will enable
Hepworth et al explains that being conscious of deficits and obstacles while assessing strengths is helpful in reaching goals (2013). In assessing these, we will still discuss how her strengths will help her overcome these negative circumstances. The third quadrant is deficits or obstacles and environmental factors. Lorene’s oldest brother, who is 19, is still living at home with the family. He has been in trouble with the law and is on probation. This is considered a deficit, however, Lorene sees her brother and does not get into any trouble following in his footsteps. As seen in her relationships with older adults, Lorene is very respectful of authority and responsibility. Her other brother, who was abused by their father, is reportedly aggressive and angry. Lorene’s strength in seeing what her brother must deal with can be heartbreaking. Lorene is strong and her environment since the abuse has changed dramatically. She has strengths in plasticity and resilience. Lorene also has limited resources for clean clothing from home. She must overcome teasing from other children because of poor hygiene. Finally, not much is reported about the relationship with Lorene and her mother. However, Mrs. Carr is not eager to come to parent-teacher conferences. It is reported that Mrs. Carr doesn’t want Lorene to join in on the gymnastics