NCJ Number
140038
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 16 Issue: 5 Dated: (September-October 1992) Pages: 637-646
Date Published
1992
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Current risk assessment models used in child protective services attempt systematically to identify and record relevant case information associated with child abuse and neglect in order to predict the likelihood of future maltreatment and to design casework practice.
Abstract
Administrators need to avoid basing their evaluations solely on outcomes, as it may lead to erroneous conclusions, particularly if a program has been inadequately implemented. The implementation of systematic risk assessment models must focus on the degree to which the model is being used as intended and the impact of the model on the casework process. There are four primary standards to consider when evaluating a systematic risk assessment model: the impact on the organization, the degree to which goals are being met, the impact on casework practice, and changes in client outcomes. Such an evaluation could consist of four major components including a pre- and post-quantitative comparison of data, a pre- and post-qualitative comparison of case records and worker perceptions, a post-quantitative examination of data unique to the model being evaluated, and a post-qualitative examination of data unique to that model. Results can be interpreted in two ways, namely statistical significance and practical significance. 1 table and 33 references