Home Call Checklist

The Home Call Checklist are various activities that each new worker should consider during the “shadowing” phase of their training. All assessment activities are REQUIREDduring at least one field visit

Before You Leave the OfficeScheduling & Time Constraints

Review CPS history* Yours – after hours?

Run criminal history*Theirs –work conflict

Coordinate with other agencies* Duration of visit

Check with other DHS programs

Home Call a NecessityWho Knows Your Whereabouts?

Think-purpose of interaction*Supervisor

Office or neutral location a possibility?*Co-workers

Nature of visit requires home call*Clerical – check out system

Check yourself for visit* How long for visit

Partner Needed?Equipment

Safety issue?*Phone – with full charge

DHS co-worker*State car – gas full – keys stored

Law Enforcement*Maps – field kits with paperwork

When You Get ThereEnvironmental Awareness

Sights, sounds, smells*Think about exit strategy even as you arrive

Safe approach to house*House, buildings, yard, porch

Personal stuff stored (purses, keys)*Neighbors

Visual scan of exterior & interior*Streets – parking

Notice all occupants inside & out

Take a breath & do a self-check– think win-win

Getting Started RemindersParaphrase & Summarize

(Know in advance of visit)*Use their words and statements

Greeting and introduction*Compliment when available

Reason for interaction*Ask client if they have any questions

A little about your work*Get feedback – clear understanding

Sharing information

Strength based interviewWhat’s Next?

Active listening skills*Your part

Safety awareness*Their part

Self-awareness – voice, tone, inflection*The system or the process

Home Call Checklist – Required Information

Trainees should obtain information during the home visit that will enable them to fill out all required questions for the safety, risk and FANS/CANS assessments. It is recommended that the trainee use the actual assessment forms to guide their questions.

DHS-1016 Safety Assessment Questions: (Consult PSM 713-1 for clarification)

  1. Caretaker caused serious physical harm or there is a threat to cause serious physical harm, indicated by:
  2. Severe injury or abuse to child other than accidental.
  3. Threat to cause harm or retaliate against child.
  4. Excessive discipline or physical force.
  5. Potential harm to a child as a result of domestic violence.
  6. One or more caretaker(s) fear they will mistreat child.
  7. Alcohol/drug exposed infant.
  1. Caretaker has previously maltreated a child in their care and the severity of the maltreatment or the caretaker’s response to the previous incident and current circumstances suggest that child safety may be an immediate concern. There must be both current immediate threats to child safety and related previous maltreatment that was severe and/or represents an unresolved pattern of maltreatment:
  2. Prior death of a child.
  3. Previous maltreatment that caused severe harm to any child.
  4. Prior termination of parental rights.
  5. Prior removal of any child.
  6. Prior confirmed CPS case.
  7. Prior threat of serious harm to child.
  1. Caretaker fails to protect child(ren) from serious harm or threatened harm.
  2. Live in partner found to be a perpetrator.
  1. Caretakers explanation of an injury is unconvincing and the nature of the injury suggests that the child’s safety may be of immediate concern.
  1. The family refuses access to the child, or there is a reason to believe the family is about to flee, or the child’s whereabouts cannot be ascertained.
  1. Child is fearful of caretaker(s), other family members, or other people living in or having access to the home.
  1. Caretaker does not provide supervision necessary to protect the child from potentially serious harm.
  1. Caretaker(s) does not meet the child’s immediate need for food, clothing, shelter and/or medical or mental health care.
  1. Child’s physical living conditions are hazardous and immediately threatening based on the child’s age and developmental stage.
  1. Caretakers(s) current substance abuse seriously affects his/her ability to supervise, protect or care for the child.
  1. Caretaker(s) behavior toward child is violent or out of control.
  1. Caretaker(s) describes or acts toward child in predominately negative terms or has extremely unrealistic expectations.
  1. Child sexual abuse is suspected and circumstances suggest that child safety may be an immediate concern.
  1. Caretaker(s) emotional stability seriously affects current ability to supervise, protect or care for the child.
  1. Other (specify)______

DHS-257 Risk Assessment Questions: (Consult PSM 713-11 for clarification)

NEGLECT:

N1: Current complaint and/or finding includes neglect

N2: Number of prior assigned neglect complaints and/or findings

N3: Number of children in the household

N4: Primary caretaker’s social support

N5: Primary caretaker is unable/unwilling to control impulses

N6: Primary caretaker provides inadequate physical care and/or inadequate supervision of the child(ren)

N7: Primary caretaker currently has a mental health problem

N8: Primary caretaker involved in harmful relationships

N9: Primary caretaker currently has a substance abuse problem

N10: Family is homeless or children are unsafe due to housing conditions.

N11: Primary caretaker able to put child needs ahead of own.

ABUSE:

A1: Current complaint and/or finding include mental injury.

A2: Number of prior assigned abuse complaints and/or findings.

A3: Age of youngest child.

A4: Number of children in the household.

A5: Either caretaker was abused and/or neglected as a child.

A6: Secondary caretaker has low self-esteem.

A7: Either caretaker is domineering and/or employs excessive and/or inappropriate discipline.

A8: Either caretaker has current or a history of domestic violence.

A9: A child in the household has one or more of the following characteristics:

  • Developmental disability
  • History of delinquency
  • Mental health issues
  • Behavioral issues

A10: All caretakers are motivated to improve parenting skills.

A11: Primary caretaker views incident less seriously than department.

DHS-259 Family Assessment of Needs and Strengths: (Consult PSM 713-12 for clarification)

Score: Select one score under each category; select the highest score that applies.

S1: Emotional Stability

  • Exceptional coping skills
  • Appropriate response
  • Some problems
  • Chronic depression, low esteem, emotional problems

S2: Parenting Skills

  • Strong skills
  • Adequate skills
  • Improvement needed
  • Destructive/abusive parenting

S3: Substance Abuse

  • No evidence of problem
  • Caretaker with some substance problem
  • Caretaker with significant problem
  • Problems resulting in chronic dysfunction

S4: Domestic Relations

  • Supportive relationship
  • Single caretaker, not involved in domestic relationship
  • Domestic discord, lack of cooperation
  • Significant domestic discord/domestic violence

S5: Social Support System

  • Strong support system
  • Adequate support system
  • Limited support system
  • No support or destructive relationships

S6: Interpersonal Skills

  • Appropriate skills
  • Limited or ineffective skills
  • Hostile/destructive

S7: Literacy

  • Literate
  • Marginally literate
  • Illiterate

S8: Intellectual Capacity

  • Average or above functional intelligence
  • Some impairment, difficulty in decision making skills
  • Significant limitation

S9: Employment

  • Employed
  • No need
  • Unemployed, but looking
  • Unemployed, not interested

S10: Physical Health Issues

  • No problem
  • Heath problem or physical limitation that affects family
  • Significant health problem/physical limitation that affects ability to provide for oe protect child

S11: Resource Availability/Management

  • Strong money management skills
  • Sufficient income to meet needs
  • Income mismanagement
  • Financial crisis

S12: Housing

  • Adequate housing
  • Some housing problems, but correctable
  • No housing, eviction notice

S13: Sexual Abuse

  • No evidence of problem
  • Caretaker failed to protect child(ren) from sexual abuse
  • Caretaker has abused child(ren) sexually

O:\OWDT-Main\CWTI\Lesson Plans\REDESIGN MATERIALS FOR SUBMISSION\Program Specific Materials\Childrens Protective Services\Field Activities MH 2/10/14