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