NCJ Number
234976
Date Published
2011
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This paper explains how the structured decision making (SDM) model can substantially improve the safety, well-being, and permanency for the victims of child abuse and neglect.
Abstract
Under the principles of the SDM model, decisions regarding the management of child-abuse-and neglect cases can be improved by the structuring of decisions according to specific criteria that must be considered for every case by every worker using highly structured assessment procedures. Such a decisionmaking system must be comprehensive, helping agencies to achieve their mandated goals of children's safety, well-being, and permanency. Also, under the SDM model, the priority given to cases must be directly related to the results of the assessment process. The expectations of staff must be clearly defined, and practice standards must be readily measurable. The effects of the assessment process should influence every aspect of a case, from the provision of services to budgeting for treatment resources. The development of the SDM approach is built on a set of principles and components that are appropriately adapted to local practices and mandates, relying on input from local managers and staff. The recommendations presented in this paper summarize what the Children's Research Center (CRC) has learned from just over 30 years of risk-assessment development, involvement in the North American Resource Centre on Child Welfare colloquy on risk assessment, as well as through work with many agencies in implementing SDM systems. The CRC recommends that decision protocols be simple; decision tools should consist only of criteria that relate to the decision at hand and can be assessed with reliability when each decision is made; decision tools should lead directly to presumptive decisions; overrides to tools should be allowed, but with the reasons for overrides documented, approved by a supervisor, and monitored; and decision tools should be tested for reliability, equity, and efficacy. 21 figures and 17 notes