Eco Maps

1
Eco Maps

• Cathy Jo Faruque, Ph.D., LICSW, DAPA

2
Families and Boundaries

• The Eco-Map reveals important information about
  boundaries between families and their
  environment.
• Boundary questions to be asked
• Is the family open to new experiences or
  relationships? If closed, to what extent and
  ways?
• Are family boundaries permeable and porous? Are
  members free to make individual connections with
  other people and organizations? Does the family
  allow other people in?

3
Families and Boundaries Cont.

• Are the boundaries flexible, can they expand and
  contract adaptively in relation to the
  environment? Does the family protect members
  when necessary and allow differentiation when
  appropriate?
• Are restricted family boundaries primarily due
  to something about the family, something about
  the environment or both?

4
Family Information

• The Eco Map can reveal important information
  about the family.
• Some important family information that Eco-Maps
  can reveal
• How family members are connected with other
  systems
• If a family member is cut off from environmental
  exchanges
• If one family member has more stressful
  connections.
• Extent to which family is involved in separate
  transactions with other people/systems

5
Questions to Ask on Eco-Map

• Is the income sufficient to meet basic needs?
• Does the family have adequate food/shelter?
• Does the family have access to preventative
  health care and medical resources?
• Can family members get to need resources or are
  they cut off because of location, lack of
  transportation, or lack of telephone?
• Does the family have meaningful social
  connections with the community? Are they part of
  an extended family or kinship?

6
Questions to Ask

• Do family members belong to or participate in any
  group activities?
• Does the family have the opportunity to share
  cultural, ethnic, gender, or other kinds of
  meanings or values with others? Are family
  values in conflict with surrounding environment?
• Is the educational experience positive for
  children? Does family have access to vocational
  and cultural enrichment opportunities?
• Do family members work? Is there satisfaction in
  work? Do family members feel proud in their
  achievements?