Professional Documents
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Ann Heerde is a clinical social worker whose primary practice has been
working with children in a variety of settings. She is currently Program
Supervisor for Family Services at Community Mental Health of Ottawa
County while also pursuing her doctorate in Social Work. This presentation
is based on the premise that family, schools, and peer interactions affect the
development of children. Given the impact of the environment upon children,
it is imperative to utilize a broader systems approach to provide supportive
treatment for children with mental health concerns. A model that provides a
framework for understanding these relationships is Bronfenbrenners Ecological
Systems Theory. This presentation will provide an overview of Brofenbrenners
Ecological Systems Theory and identify strategies for incorporating a Family
System Perspective into childrens mental health treatment.