W HY A RE Y OU A SKING M E T HAT ? Conversations to Engage Parents in the Assessment Process Developed for the OCWTP CAPMIS Tool Kit 1

 It is the parent’s right to ask and  Our responsibility to answer Remember : 2

R ESPONDING TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE S AFETY A SSESSMENT 3

S AFETY F ACTORS …. child harm lack of protection credible threat out of control behavior family violence drug/alcohol caretaker mental/physical illness immediate needs environmental hazard expectations access explanation of harm child's physical/ mental health needs sexual abuse 4

“What do you mean by a safety assessment?” 5

“How are you going to use the information?” 6

“Who’s going to see this?” 7

H ISTORICAL I NFORMATION “Why are you asking me about the past?” 8

C HILD V ULNERABILITIES “ What does my child’s development have to do with his safety?” 9

P ROTECTIVE C APACITIES “Do you think I can’t protect my own child?” 10

R ESPONDING TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE F AMILY S TRENGTHS AND N EEDS A SSESSMENT 11

“Why are you asking me all these questions?” 12

CHILD FUNCTIONING Self- Protection “Why are you asking me about that?” 13

Physical/Cognitive/ Social Development “Why are you asking me about that?” CHILD FUNCTIONING 14

Emotional/ Behavioral Functioning “Why are you asking me about that?” CHILD FUNCTIONING 15

ADULT FUNCTIONING Cognitive Abilities “Why are you asking me that?” “Don’t you think I’m smart enough?” 16

Physical Health “Why are you asking me about that?” ADULT FUNCTIONING 17

Emotional/ Mental Health Functioning “Why are you asking me about that?” “Do you think I’m crazy?” ADULT FUNCTIONING 18

Domestic Relations “Why are you asking me about that?” ADULT FUNCTIONING 19

Substance Use “Why are you asking me about that?” ADULT FUNCTIONING 20

Response to Stressors “Why are you asking me about that?” ADULT FUNCTIONING 21

Parenting Practices “Why are you asking me about that?” ADULT FUNCTIONING 22

Family Roles, Interactions, and Relationships “Why are you asking me about that?” FAMILY FUNCTIONING 23

Resource Management and Household Maintenance “Why are you asking me about that?” FAMILY FUNCTIONING 24

Extended Family, Social and Community Supports “Why are you asking me about that?” FAMILY FUNCTIONING 25

Caretaker’s Victimization of Other Children “Why are you asking me about that?” HISTORICAL 26

Caretaker’s Abuse/Neglect as a Child “Why are you asking me about that?” HISTORICAL 27

Impact of Past Services “Why are you asking me about that?” HISTORICAL 28

F AMILY ’ S P ERCEPTION 29

R ESPONDING TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE F AMILY A CTUARIAL R ISK A SSESSMENT 30

W HY A RE Y OU A SKING M E T HAT ? Developed for the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program by the Institute for Human Services (614)