5.3.13  Assessing the Need for Services

The Strengths/Needs section of the CPS-1 is a useful reference to prompt the worker to address specific factors which may impact the quality of family functioning in a positive or negative way and may put the children at a higher risk of maltreatment.  Though it is not as comprehensive as the family functioning assessment in an open case it does address the basic family functioning domains that need to be addressed during the assessment process.  They include basic needs, living conditions, the family’s support system; health and educational issues and the overall nature and quality of family interaction.

The family assessment should be strength-based and emphasize the family’s strengths, competencies and successes the family has experienced.

The worker should then help the family identify areas of need and help address them through the family’s resources or supports, resources available in the community and if necessary by opening a Division case for family-centered services.

During the first meeting with the family, the worker should consider the following questions:

• What strengths and resources does the family have to build on?
• What service/support does the family need or request from the community or the Division?
• Do I need to visit again and/or gather more information?
• What is my next step related to this family?