(Effective: 08/18/20)
2.2 Using the Family Risk Assessment Map in FCS
Assessment of Risk
When risk is clearly defined and objectively quantified the agency can ensure that resources are targeted to higher risk families in order to enhance the caregivers capacity to protect their children from threats of danger and to lessen the families need for outside intervention.
Every FCS case must have a Family Risk Assessment Map to guide the family and staff from the danger statements to safety goals through a structured process to create the final safety plan. The Family Risk Assessment Map is the how of safety planning. The Case Mapping Tool (CD-218) helps us with conversations and provides information to create the Family Risk Assessment Map (CD-220). Once we have gathered information about the situation from the family and other relevant sources, we must analyze and organize what we have learned, utilizing the CD-220.
The Family Risk Assessment Map can be drafted outside the presence of the family at first, often with the consultation of the worker’s supervisor and/or safety network, and then taken back and reviewed with the family for clarity and accuracy prior to finalizing the CD-220. See Section 1 (Policy Guide to the Practice Model) for more information on completing the family risk assessment map.
The most important part of creating danger statements and safety goals is that the family is involved in the process. Once the worker drafts the CD-220, it must be shared with their family to ensure it is clear to everyone involved and that it accurately captures everyone’s perspectives. The family does not have to agree but it is imperative that parents fully understand the Children’s Division’s worries. Shared investment in safety goals is much more critical. When parents are fully invested in the safety goals, workers can have more confidence the parents will remain motivated to keep the children safe after the case closes.
Re-Assessment
After the CD-220 is shared with the family, the worker may need to revise it. Danger statements and safety goals generally do not change once they are solidified with the family. Occasionally, changes to the danger statements and safety goals may be necessary when:
- A new assessment indicates a change in the level of seriousness of a current worry (revise the current statements), and/or
- A new assessment indicates a new worry based on a different type of harm (add a danger statement and safety goal combination).
Staff should continue to re-assess the strengths, needs, and progress of the family, and the safety of the child(ren) throughout the Family Assessment process and while the FCS case is opened. The re-assessment must be documented in case contact notes and quarterly progress summaries in FACES.
Documenting the mapping conversations:
All Signs of Safety mapping tools including the Case Mapping Tool (CD-218) and the Family Risk Assessment Map (CD-220) must be documented in the case file. The Signs of Safety mapping tools must be uploaded through document imaging in FACES to the electronic case file. See Section 5, Chapter 2 (Documentation), Subsection 2 – Contact Entries for additional information on how to document mapping conversations.