5.3.7 Meeting with the Child(ren) and Family
The Children’s Service Worker will meet with the family to discuss the reported concern, and to continue with the Family Assessment process. The worker should give the family a Description of the Family Assessment Process (CS-24a) at first contact with the family.
The initial contact with the family in a family assessment may be via phone. Based on the CA/N allegations, the family’s prior CA/N history, and preliminary contacts, the Children’s Service Worker may make a professional decision whether to contact the family to schedule the first home visit to begin the family assessment process.
There are several reasons a worker may want to initiate contact via phone with the family. In making the decision to contact the family before making a home visit, a worker must weigh the pros and cons of this contact. Supervisory consultation may be necessary in making this decision.
5.3.7.1 Positives to Scheduling Initial Contact
- Scheduling the first face-to-face contact with the child and family provides the family with some initial decision-making, empowering them, prior to that first face-to-face contact;
- Scheduling allows a family to have all family members at home who are needed to begin the family assessment; and
- Setting a time for the first face-to-face contact allows a worker to schedule the time needed to begin the family assessment.
5.3.7.2 Negatives to Scheduling Initial Contact
- Family may flee;
- Children may be “coached”;
NOTE: If the family knows about the report prior to the face-to-face contact, the worker must be particularly observant of signs that the child(ren) have been coached. Examples of signs may include, but are not limited to the following: the parent speaks for the child; the child looks to parent to respond to question; the child does not respond to detailed question in which they would have information readily available. Any signs of coaching should be documented on theCPS-1.
- The home environment may be altered prior to the initial visit; and
- Family members’ response is less spontaneous.
5.3.7.3 Key questions that need to be answered during the initial visit are:
- What strengths exist within the family that ensure the child is safe and will be safe from CA/N when I leave?
- What concerns, if any, exist for the safety of the children due to the family situation?
Chapter Memoranda History: (prior to 1/31/07)
CS03-51, CD05-35, CD05-72, CD06-34