You will be visiting a family at least four times this semester.  The first thing you will have to do is develop trust. Termination begins with your first visit. The following guidelines will assist you in making your home visits:

• Have clearly identified written objectives before making each home visit. Use Family Assessment Guidelines to record objectives and assessments.  Discuss home visits with faculty each week during practice.  Reflect about home visits in journals also.
• Arrange the visit at a mutually convenient time. Always inform your instructor by email and agency whom and when you are visiting.
• Make your visits during daylight hours, on practice days or previously approved days by faculty.
• Always have enough money to call in case you have to make an emergency call.
• Before you leave, call the family before making the visit.  Set up a prompt arrival and departure time-set limits-usually no more than 1-2 hours for each visit.
• Always carry a good county or city map. Locate your destination before leaving for your visits. Have all phone numbers (your cell phone, agency, faculty home/office/beeper number, HV family, AAA) with you at all times.
• Carefully observe the neighborhood for safety factors i.e., public telephones, police, and note street names and routes you plan to take.
• DO NOT go on home visits unaccompanied; if you have concerns about the environmental safety, do not make the visits. Always go with an agency staff person, staff nurse, another student, or faculty.
• Observe safety rules--keep care doors locked, windows rolled up, personal articles locked in trunk. Please lock articles in trunk before leaving your home.
• Wear practice attire and identification at all times.
• Report any unsafe conditions to faculty. If you enter a home and it appears unsafe for you to be there e.g. (drug usage, argument, weapons) leave immediately and report conditions to faculty.
• Take thorough notes during the home visit.  Complete Family Assessment and Evaluate each visit immediately after the visit.