Considering goals: An example of two intensive Home-Based family services

This study examines the goals established by workers and clients in two home-based family service agencies employing different intervention models. In particular, identifies and provides descriptive information on the nature of both client-specific and program goals based on 110 case records from both agencies. Twenty-one goal categories were developed to reflect various aspects of the encounters with families. Some of the client-specific goal categories were congruent with the program goal while others implied adherence to the idiosyncratic needs of the clients, and there were differences between the two agencies. The goal categories developed here may help practitioners better describe what they do with clients. In addition, the findings suggest outcome indicators for monitoring client progress.