Section 60. Assessment

A. Assessments shall be conducted in a manner that respectfully involves children and birth parents or prior custodians to give them a say in what happens to them. Decision making shall include input from children, youth, birth parents or prior custodians, and other interested individuals.

B. The initial foster care assessment shall result in the selection of a specific permanency goal. In accordance with guidance in the assessment section of the Foster Care Manual, the local department shall complete the PPI during the initial foster care assessment to assist in determining if a concurrent goal should be selected.

C. The initial foster care assessment shall be completed within time frames developed by the department but shall not exceed 30 calendar days after acceptance of the child in a foster care placement.

1. When a child has been removed from his home as a result of abuse or neglect, the initial foster care assessment shall include a summary of the Child Protective Services' safety and risk assessments.

2. The history and circumstances of the child, the birth parents or prior custodians, or other interested individuals shall be assessed at the time of the initial foster care assessment to determine their service needs. The initial foster care assessment shall:

a. Include a comprehensive social history;

b Utilize assessment tools designated by the department;

c. Be entered into the department's automated child welfare system; and

d. Include a description of how the child, youth, birth parents or prior custodians, and other interested individuals were involved in the decision making process.

D. The service worker shall refer the child; birth parents or prior custodians; and foster, adoptive or resource parents for appropriate services identified through the assessment. The assessment shall include an assessment of financial resources.

E. Assessments of the effectiveness of services to the child; birth parents or prior custodians; and foster, adoptive, or resource parents and the need for additional services shall occur at least every three months as long as the goal is to return home. For all other goals, assessments of the effectiveness and need for additional services shall occur at least every six months after placement for as long as the child remains in foster care. The assessments shall be completed in accordance with guidance in the assessment section of the Foster Care Manual.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 29, Issue 02, eff. November 1, 2012.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217 and 63.2-900 of the Code of Virginia.