9.5 Risk Reassessment (CS-16E):
The Risk Reassessment (CS-16E) assesses risk of future child maltreatment and assists workers in evaluating whether risk levels have decreased, remained the same or have increased since the initial risk assessment.
The Risk Assessment is to be completed at the conclusion of every investigation/family assessment in which there are children who remain in the home. The risk assessment identifies the level of risk of future maltreatment and is used to guide the decision to close or open the investigation/family assessment for ongoing services. The following chart shows the recommended case open/close decisions based on the risk level for investigations and family assessments:
Risk-Based Case Open/Close Guidelines |
|||
Risk Level |
Investigations |
Family Assessments |
|
Probable Cause |
Unsubstantiated |
||
Low |
Close |
Close |
Close |
Moderate |
Open/Close |
Close |
Open/Close |
High |
Open |
Open/Close w/referral |
Open/Close w/referral |
Very High |
Open |
Open/Close w/referral |
Open/Close w/referral |
NOTE: There may be unique circumstances in which it is appropriate to open low risk cases (for example, court-ordered services), or close very high risk cases (for example, family moved out of state). Reasons for opening or closing cases outside of the recommended guidelines should be clearly documented in the case record.
9.5.1 Priority of Initial Client Contact after a Case Opening Based on SDM Risk
Prior to signing off on a CA/N investigation/family assessment, the Supervisor will review the CPS-1and will determine the priority of the initial face to face interview with the family by the assigned Family Centered Services (FCS) worker based on the following SDM risk levels:- High or Very High Risk - within one (1) working day;
- Moderate Risk - within five (5) working days; and
- Low Risk - within ten (10) working days.
If the FCS case referral was not due to a CA/N investigation/family assessment, the supervisor's appraisal of the potential risk to the children and overall family situation will determine when treatment follow-up contact by the FCS worker is needed. This should Not Exceed (10) Working Days From Case Assignment.
9.5.2 Minimum Contact Standards for In-Home Cases
The Family Risk Assessment provides reliable, valid information on the risk to children of continued abuse and neglect. Appropriate use of this assessment data is key to ensuring better protection of children. Therefore, for cases that have been opened for ongoing services, the risk level is used to guide the minimum amount of contact with the family each month. These guidelines are considered "best practice" and help focus staff resources on the highest risk cases.
These guidelines apply to families where all children are in the home, and reflect the minimum number of face-to-face and collateral contacts with the family each month. Workers should use judgment in each case to best determine whether more contacts are needed. The definition and purpose of a face-to-face “contact” is to monitor developments in the case, to observe interaction between the caregiver and the child(ren) in the family home, to assure the safety of the child in the home, to facilitate implementation of the Case Plan, and to assess progress with the plan.
The Family Case Contact Guidelines provide a recommendation regarding the minimum number of contacts the worker should have with the family based on the assessed risk level. It is used to guide monthly contacts while the case is open, and is reviewed at each risk reassessment until the case is closed.
The risk level determines the overall minimum contact standards for the family. The “Children’s Division Minimum Contact Standards” represent how many of the overall contact standards must be met by the CD worker. The remaining contacts may be met by a contracted in-home service provider who is working with the family as part of the family’s case plan. However, if the contracted service provider was unable to complete monthly contacts, the CD worker is responsible for meeting the overall contact standards. Face to face contact by the CD worker should occur in the family’s home. The Parental Home Visit Checklist (form CD-83) may be utilized during these contacts.
The CD worker is responsible for making all collateral contacts. Collateral contacts include phone contact with school personnel and child care providers, medical personnel who have recently seen or treated the child(ren), parenting class instructors, etc.
“Minimum Contact Guidelines for In-Home Family Cases” refers to the time period after a CA/N report conclusion/delayed conclusion has been made or FCS Cases or for FCOOHC cases where children are in the home and represents the recommended number of contacts that workers should have with families according to their assessed risk level.(likelihood of future maltreatment):
Minimum Contact Guidelines for In-Home Family Cases |
||
Risk Level |
Overall Contact Guidelines |
CD Minimum Contact Guidelines |
Very High |
3 face-to-face/month |
2 face-to-face/month and |
High |
2 face-to-face/month |
1 face-to-face/month and |
Moderate |
1 face-to-face/month |
1 face-to-face/month and |
Low |
1 face-to-face/month |
1 face-to-face/month and |
For Minimum contact standard for open FCS cases see:
For minimum contact standards after a CA/N report conclusion date or delayed conclusion date see:
For FCOOHC cases, where there are no children in the home, to determine the frequency of worker visits with parent/caretaker see: