Code of Massachusetts Regulations
110 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Title 110 CMR 5.00 - Assessment
Section 5.04 - How Conducted

(1) Upon assignment, the social worker reviews the material included in the case record. If the material indicates that a previous case record exists, the social worker accesses and reviews the previous record(s).

(2) The social worker, together with the client, identifies family members who will be included in the assessment. The assessment process includes the active involvement of all family members. For the purpose of assessment, family is defined as: all family members and other individuals residing in the home, children in Department placement, children residing out of the home, and any parent/parent substitute living out of the home.

(3) The assessment involves collateral contacts with extended family, service providers, and other resources identified by the social worker and family. If the family is willing to sign the required releases permitting the Department to contact these collateral sources, the social worker proceeds to contact these collaterals. If the family is not willing to sign releases, the social worker documents this in the dictation and proceeds with the assessment without the benefit of collateral contacts.

(4) During the course of the assessment, the social worker shall have a minimum of three face-to-face contacts with parents and other individuals who reside in the home, the first of which occurs within five working days after the assignment of the case to the social worker responsible for completing the assessment. Two of the three face-to-face contacts take place in the home. If an out-of-home parent/parent substitute can be located, he/she is visited a minimum of one time, at a mutually agreeable location, during the assessment. All children are visited a minimum of two times during the assessment. The first face-to-face contact occurs in the child's current residence within five working days after the assignment of the case to the social worker responsible for completing the assessment.

(5) If the social worker is not able to meet with the individuals in the family, cannot conduct the expected number of visits, and/or it is not possible or appropriate to conduct a visit in the expected location set forth in 110 CMR 5.04(4), the social worker discusses this with his/her supervisor prior to the completion of the assessment. The reason(s) why the visits were not conducted, and/or occurred at a different location, and the outcome of the discussion with the supervisor are documented in the case record.

(6) In cases which were opened as a result of a supported investigation, under M.G.L. c. 119, § 51B, the social worker informs the family that they may submit information to her/him regarding the investigation decision which will be reviewed at the completion of the assessment.

(7) As part of the assessment, the social worker should request a check of the Registry of Alleged Perpetrators for all household members. For protective cases only, the social worker, in consultation with his/her supervisor, should determine if there is a need to conduct a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check on a household member. When such a determination is made, the social worker should submit a request in accordance with the Department's Policy and Procedures for Accessing Name Search, Central Registry, Registry of Alleged Perpetrators, and CORI Checks policy, (Department Policy # 86-014(R).

(8) If an assessment if being completed as the result of a supported investigation under M.G.L. c. 119, § 51B, and the family refuses, despite reasonable casework efforts, to participate in the assessment process, the social worker and supervisor consult with the Area Director, or designee, to determine risk to the child(ren) and, in consultation with a Department attorney, to determine if there are reasons to pursue legal action.

(9) Documentation. Information gathered during the assessment process is documented, by the social worker, in consultation with the supervisor, utilizing a form or an electronic method established by the Department's Assessment policy, Department Policy # 85-011. The assessment is based on an evaluation of information learned from the interviews with all family members and collateral contacts and the use of the Department's Risk Factor Matrix.

(10) Outcome. Following completion of the assessment, the social worker and supervisor determine if the case will remain open or be closed.

For cases remaining open the social worker and supervisor determine who in the family will be receiving services and be included in the service plan. The social worker verbally informs the family of the outcome of the assessment and also provides the family with written notification.

For cases that will be closed after the assessment, the social worker verbally informs the family of the outcome of the assessment and proceeds in accordance with 110 CMR 9.00 et seq. and the Department's Case Closing Policy (Department Policy # 86-007(R)).