A10-year-old girl is referred to the school social worker because she is inattentive in class, frequently absent and late, complains of a variety of illnesses, and completes few homework assignments. her teacher reports that the girl seems tired and morose. after two meetings with the girl, the worker asks to see both parents. initially, the mother declines to accept an invitation to a meeting. the father agrees to meet but is defensive while discussing an appointment over the phone, telling the social worker that the responsibility for the daughter’s difficulty lies with the school. he is known to be generally resistant to suggestions. the social worker would probably next: