Reference no: EM132381787

Case Study Two: Please provide your responses to the questions based on this scenario.

Complete some research and select a case involving abuse or neglect and determine if it has enough detail to effectively complete the assignment below. Please be certain to include a comprehensive summary of the family, including ages, relationships, time frames, etc. These can be actual cases, however, if it is an ongoing case, please protect the confidentiality of those involved.

Initial assessment/investigation

An initial assessment or investigation is conducted on reports that are screened in during the intake process to identify whether the maltreatment can be substantiated. In addition to child protective services and law enforcement, other professionals such as medical and mental health personnel, teachers and childcare providers, and foster care or residential staff may play a role in the initial assessment.

The initial assessment or investigation addresses a number of questions:
• Is child maltreatment substantiated as defined by State statute?
• Is the child at risk of maltreatment, and what is the level of risk?
• Is the child safe and, if not, what type of agency or community response will ensure the child's safety in the least intrusive manner?
• If the child's safety cannot be assured within the family, what type and level of out-of-home care does the child need?
• Does the family have emergency needs that must be met?
• Should ongoing agency services be offered to the family to reduce the risk or address the treatment needs of the child?

Comprehensive family assessment

The comprehensive family assessment is a process for identifying, considering, and weighing factors that affect the child's safety, permanency, and well-being. The family assessment is designed to gain a greater understanding about the family's strengths, needs, and resources so that children can be safe and the risk of maltreatment can be reduced.

The family assessment helps answer the following questions:
• What are the risks and needs of this family that affect safety, permanency, or well-being?
• What are the effects of maltreatment that affect safety, permanency, and well-being?
• What are the family's individual and collective strengths?
• How do the family members perceive their conditions, problems, and strengths?
• What must change in order for the effects of maltreatment to be addressed and for the risk of maltreatment to be reduced or eliminated?
• What is the parent or caregiver's level of readiness for change? What is their motivation and capacity to ensure safety, permanency, and well-being?