The ecomap shows the family’s relationships in the world around them. Do these relationships support the family, or do they contribute to the problem?
Use the ecomap to assess:
| Step 1: | Draw circles to represent the different systems in the family’s life. (DHS, Court, Juvenile Services, Mental Health, School, Church, Recreation, Friends). Include important extended family groups and individuals that are not on the genogram. |
| Step 2: | Write the names of important individuals in each system (school counselors or teachers, caseworkers, therapists, doctors, coworkers, friends). This is helpful information for you to identify potential supports for the family. |
| Step 3: | Draw lines toward the family system that are descriptive of the relationship between the family and that system. Use the same line keys as the genogram. |
As you complete the ecomap assessment tool, consider these key questions.
1. What is the family’s relationship to the community? What interventions will improve the family’s community relationships?
2. Is the family able to meet the material, physical, and social needs of its members? How much stress does the family experience in meeting those needs?
3. What are the barriers to the family having good support systems for safety and stability in the family? What interventions will help the family resolve barriers to ongoing family support from both formal and informal support systems?