Awareness: A Family Hierarchy of Needs

Service Coordination and Advocacy

**Adapted from Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Reprinted with permission from: Mikus, K.C., Benn. R., & Weatherston, D. (1994). On behalf of families: A sourcebook of training activities for early intervention, Detroit, MI: Project F.I.T., Merrill-Palmer Institute. Wayne State University.

Family- Actualization

• Enhancement of understanding of relationships with child(ren), family, community, self.
• Refinement of inter-personal skills (empathy, communication, relating)
• Personal emotional response
• Spirituality

Esteem and Satisfaction

• Sense of competency as parent, worker, significant other, friend
• Sense of efficacy, capability
• Sense of resiliency, hopefulness
• Ability to cope and problem-solve
• Sense of well-being (individual to family levels)
• Opportunities for enjoyment

Social Emotional

• Sense of belonging, of being connected
• Adult-adult affiliation, companionship (significant other)
• Parent – child relationship
• Positive relationships with extended family
• Positive informal social support network
• Positive formal social support network

Safety

• Transportation
• Child care
• Housing
• Access to phone
• Neighborhood
• Safe relationships (domestic violence, abuse)

Physical

• Food, water, formula
• Rest, sleep
• Shelter
• Clothes
• Heat
• Health care
• Beds
• Transportation
• Employment or income