Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

What should a social worker do first when meeting with a family struggling to meet basic needs?

1. Assist them with budgeting

2. Link their specific needs to service options

3. Refer them to a food bank

4. Encourage them to find community resources

The correct answer is: Link their specific needs to service options

When meeting with a family struggling to meet basic needs, the most appropriate initial action is to link their specific needs to service options. This approach is foundational in social work practice because it involves a thorough assessment of the family's current situation. By understanding their specific needs—such as food insecurity, housing instability, or lack of healthcare—social workers can effectively connect families to the most relevant services. This process often starts with a conversation that identifies the pressing concerns of the family and gathers critical information about their circumstances. Once the specific needs are established, the social worker can then guide the family to available resources, whether that involves food assistance, financial aid, housing support, or other social services that can alleviate their challenges. Assisting with budgeting, referring to a food bank, or encouraging them to find community resources would typically follow this initial step. Those actions are valuable, but without a clear understanding of the family's specific situation and needs, they may not be as effective in addressing the immediate concerns. Linking specific needs to service options ensures that the interventions are targeted and appropriate, promoting a more efficient pathway to achieving stability for the family.