Re: Evaluating Abuse Cases

[Rfreitagmw@xxxxxxx]

An actuarial risk assessment instrument is designed to answer a single
question: what is the probability of future harm? It should definitely NOT be
used to plan what areas should be covered in a treatment plan, or to
substitute for detailed clinical assessment.

This is an excellent illustration of a potentially good interaction between
CPS and mental health: a CPS worker armed with a well designed actuarial risk
tool can make reliable and valid decisions about which cases to open for
onging services and what level of services to provide(the higher the risk, the
greater the service level). If that CPS worker is also using a highly
structured strength and needs assessment, he/she may identify priority areas
of need to address in a CPS treatment plan. 

For example, mental health issues may be a priority need. In such case, a
mental health evaluation may be requested, since a CPS worker is generally not
in a position to provide DSM-IV diagnosis and/or to detail a mental health
treatment plan, and/or to provide ongoing psychotherapy. A thorough CPS
assessment may yield information for focusing a battery of tests: i.e.
observations by the worker to suggest depression, psychosis, knowledge of
childhood abuse of a parent, interpersonal relationships, etc. Conversely,  if
mental health issues were NOT identified as a priority need, a mental health
evaluation would not be indicated...preserving resources and sparing families
of unnecessary time and intrusion. 

Raelene Freitag, PhD
Children's Research Center
4825 U St.
Sacramento, CA 95817
916-739-6223