© 2008 CRC, All Rights Reserved 426 South Yellowstone Drive, Suite 250 Madison, WI Phone (608) The Children’s Research Center is a nonprofit social research organization and division of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency The Structured Decision Making Approach Focus on Case Planning

© 2008 CRC, All Rights Reserved Contribution of assessment Effective assessment Translation of assessment to plan Use of plan

© 2008 CRC, All Rights Reserved Overview of the SDM ® System Comprehensive assessment and decision-making model Different tools used at different decision points Structures the critical decisions through standardised assessments and decision protocols Research-based and/or evidence-based Reduces harm and expedites permanency

© 2008 CRC, All Rights Reserved Response priority assessment Safety assessment Risk assessment Family strengths and needs assessments Screening assessment Risk reassessment Reunification assessment Family strengths and needs reassessments Helpline CSC Is the child safe? Is it child abuse/neglect (CA/N)? How quickly do we need to respond? What is the likelihood of future maltreatment? What services does the family need? Ongoing Should the case remain open or be closed? Key Decision Points

© 2008 CRC, All Rights Reserved Distinct assessments Safety Imminent danger of serious harm Safe Safe with plan Unsafe Risk Probability of future harm Ongoing services? Service intensity S&N Underlying dynamics Focus of case plan

© 2008 CRC, All Rights Reserved Desirable qualities of assessment tools ReliabilityValidityEquity UtilityEffectiveness

© 2008 CRC, All Rights Reserved How much information is needed? All information Information learned Information needed for decision at hand

© 2008 CRC, All Rights Reserved Common, but unhelpful assessments Assessment by crisis Perpetual assessment The dog chasing the car

© 2008 CRC, All Rights Reserved Laying the foundation: Comprehensive assessment Adults »About 9 key domains Children »About 9 key domains

© 2008 CRC, All Rights Reserved Laying the foundation: Comprehensive assessment Each domain on similar scale »Above average strength »Strength »Some need »Major need Each item with operational definition Each item with a specific weight

© 2008 CRC, All Rights Reserved Laying the foundation: Comprehensive assessment Results: »Rank order of needs »Rank order of strengths Case plan should FOCUS on up to 3 areas of need for adults and assure that all child needs are addressed.

© 2008 CRC, All Rights Reserved Clarifying myths Just a checklist Requires skilled interviewing Requires knowledge of key dynamics Doesn’t involve family Family is primary SOURCE of information Family is partner in planning Isn’t clinical ENOUGH Purpose is high level focus Must fit with realities of casework Can partner with “nested” detailed assessments

© 2008 CRC, All Rights Reserved Translating assessment to plan Identify goals: what will it look like when it’s better Identify actions and/or services to achieve those goals Serve as yardstick against which to measure progress

© 2008 CRC, All Rights Reserved Unhelpful, but sadly common case plan types Kitchen sink If we’ve got it, you’re gonna get it One size fits all My last work shop

© 2008 CRC, All Rights Reserved Unhelpful but sadly common uses of case plans Compliance Never-ending plans…. Forgotten

© 2008 CRC, All Rights Reserved Issues in implementation Lack of transition from FSNA results to case plan Case plan formats not linked to FSNA Unilateral case plan development Goals expressed as service compliance vs. outcomes Lack of continuous tracking of progress Lack of direct link from progress to reassessment decision