Revision Date: 6-18-2026
Chapter 5 Overview
This chapter explains the principles of assessing child safety and provides a framework for staff to utilize when making the decision of whether a child is safe or unsafe.
Table of Contents
5.1 Principles of Safety Assessment and Intervention
5.3 Components of Assessing Safety
5.3.3 Caregiver’s Protective Capacities
5.4 Structured Decision Making (SDM) Safety Assessment
5.4.1 Safety Assessment Decision Outcomes
5.4.2 Types of Safety Assessment
5.4.3 Completing the SDM Safety Assessment
5.4.4 Sections of the Safety Assessment
5.5 Caregiver Capacity and Impairment, Drug Testing
5.5.1 Determining the Need for Drug Testing
5.5.1.1 Drug Testing Overview
5.5.1.2 Considerations, Signs and Symptoms
5.5.2 Requests for Drug Testing
5.5.2.1 Testing Guidelines
5.5.2.2 Drug Testing Children
5.5.2.3 Initial Full Panel Testing
5.5.3 Scheduling Drug Testing
5.5.3.1 Communication with Drug Testing Providers
5.5.3.2 Detection Window
5.5.3.3 Funding for Drug Testing
5.5.4 Post Drug Testing
5.5.4.1 Drug Test Results, Including Disputed Results
5.5.4.2 Ongoing Drug Testing and Monitoring
5.5.4.3 Drug Treatment and Program Drug Testing
5.5.5 Documentation, Confidentiality and HIPAA
5.5.6 Resources and Supporting Information
5.6 CA/N Reports and Non-CA/N Referrals Involving Fentanyl
5.6.1 Before Attempting Contact with the Family
5.6.2 Circuit Manager Consultation