5.3.14 Determining the Level of Risk

Once the worker and the family have collaborated to identify the family’s area of strengths and need for services, the worker will conduct a risk assessment to determine the family’s Structured Decision Making (SDM) level of risk of future child maltreatment.

The SDM risk assessment identifies the level of risk of future child maltreatment.  The worker will utilize the Risk-Based Case Open/Close Guidelines to assist the worker in determining the need to open and FCS case.