|
|
|
Resources
-
Empowering Children and Families Through Strength-Based Assessment
This article provides a rationale for using a strength-based assessment approach in planning services for children. First, a definition of strength-based assessment, its advantages, and principles are provided. Then, a standardized measure, the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (BERS), that assesses the emotional and behavioral strengths of children is described. Finally, a case study is presented to demonstrate the use of the BERS in assessing emotional and behavioral strengths and involving families, professionals, and natural supports in service planning.
-
Family Assessment in Child Welfare Services: Instrument Comparisons
Family assessment instruments can enhance the clinical judgment of child welfare practitioners by structuring decision-making processes and demonstrating the linkages between assessment, service provision, and child and family outcomes. This article from the Bay Area Social Services Consortium describes the concept of family assessment in the child welfare context and provides an overview of the theoretical and disciplinary influences in the family assessment field. Based on a structured review of 85 instruments, the article discusses 21 that appear to the be the most valid and reliable for evaluating four federally-defined domains of family assessment: (1) patterns of social interaction, (2) parenting practices, (3) background and history of the parents or caregivers, and (4) problems in access to basic necessities such as income, employment, and adequate housing. Key measurement criteria as well as practical considerations in the selection and implementation of family assessment instrumentation in child welfare are discussed.
Guides
-
Comprehensive Family Assessment Guidelines for Child Welfare
These guidelines can help State and tribal agencies conduct comprehensive family assessments for families involved with the child welfare system. Comprehensive family assessments take into account not only presenting symptoms but also underlying causes for behaviors and conditions affecting children. These assessments may help agencies develop plans that match services to real needs and address families' key issues in the timeframes required by law. Comprehensive family assessments are distinct from traditional assessments that have a more narrow focus on a specific topic, such as safety or development. Instead, comprehensive family assessments incorporate information collected through other assessments to provide a broad picture of family issues. These guidelines were developed through a coordinated effort of the Children's Bureau Training and Technical Assistance Network.
-
Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Comprehensive Assessment
This assessment tool was developed at Northwestern University. It is an open domain resource for use in service delivery systems that address the mental health of children, adolescents and their families. This tool, which is in use in several states, is free. It is distributed by the Buddin Praed Foundation.
-
Intensive Family Services: North Carolina Family Assessment Scales
The National Family Preservation Network offers cutting-edge information and resources for practitioners who work with families, tools and training to meet federal standards for family preservation and reunification services, and protocols for establishing and maintaining effective family preservation and reunification services. Tools available on its website include an assessment scale to measure family functioning and one to determine the risk of out-of-home placement or successful reunification for a family in the context of family strengths and problems.
-
Identifying and Verifying the Safe Foster Home: A Study and Assessment Method
This assessment tool from ACTION for Child Protection is designed to evaluate foster homes for appropriate child placement. It includes 14 indicators that address: foster family history; adult general functioning; discipline approach; parenting practices; child functioning; family functioning; family support networks; demographics; viewpoint of birth parents; viewpoint of foster children; preparation of family for fostering; motivation and commitment; family response; and resources. For each indicator, ratings are offered and explained. The tool closes with a family support plan form.
Guides from the States
The Integrated Assessment Clinical Screener completes the initial CANS to identify the strengths and needs for the child and family. The CANS is incorporated into all treatment planning and is completed whenever a treatment plan is being written/re-evaluated so that the strengths and needs are always being assessed throughout the lifetime of the case. Designed by Dr. John Lyons from Northwestern University.
Iowa
Comprehensive Functional Family Assessment
Practice tips for caseworkers.
Mississippi
Family Centered Strengths and Risk Assessment Guidebook
This guide from the Mississippi Division of Children and Family Services was developed to help caseworkers guide their initial assessment conversations with families and children in ways that focus on family strengths and successes and seek to employ principles of family centered practice in planning for the services and supports from the entire system of care that can help parents improve their ability to care for their children.
Curriculum
Bibliography
Last update 05/02/08
|
|
