WSIPP: Project Summary

Project Summary

Family Assessment Response
The 2012 Legislature directed DSHS for to employ one of two responses for reports that are screened in and accepted for response: an investigation (currently the only option) or a family assessment. A family assessment is defined as a comprehensive assessment of child safety, risk of subsequent child abuse or neglect, and family strengths and needs that is applied to a child abuse or neglect report. The assessment does not include a determination as to whether child abuse or neglect occurred but does determine the need for services to address the safety of the child and the risk of subsequent maltreatment. The Institute will conduct an evaluation of the implementation of the family assessment response. The evaluation will include child safety measures, out-of-home placement rates, re-referral rates, and caseload sizes and demographics. A preliminary report is due by December 1, 2014, and the final report by December 1, 2016. Lead Researcher: Marna Miller, (360) 586-2745