- Home
- » Systemwide
- » Assessment
- » Assessment: Overview
Assessment: Overview
Assessment in child welfare supports sound decision-making on child safety, permanency, and well-being for children and families, including those who want to strengthen their capacity to successfully care for their children as well as those at risk or who have already experienced abuse or neglect. View assessment terms and definitions.
The goal of comprehensive family assessment is to identify the strengths, needs, resources, and challenges of children and families to determine:
- Whether supports, services, or interventions are needed
- The type and intensity of interventions and supports to be provided
- How these services affect the children, youth, and families served
- The child and family's progress in achieving their goals
Related Training
Use the Training section of our website to search for curricula and other training resources on the following:
- Assessment
- Interviewing
- Child protective services
- Identifying child abuse and neglect
Decision-Making Tools Library
National Resource Center for Child Protective Services
Provides frequently updated child protection decision-making resources currently used in States and territories.
A Coordinated Response to Child Abuse and Neglect: The Foundation for Practice
Office on Child Abuse and Neglect (HHS), User Manual Series (2003)
Provides the definition, scope, causes, and consequences of child maltreatment. Presents an overview of prevention efforts and the child protection process. (PDF - 4219 KB)
Comprehensive Family Assessment Guidelines for Child Welfare
National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning (2005)
Components of comprehensive family assessment, its relationship to service planning and service provision, and how child welfare agencies can support its use. (PDF - 301 KB)