Identify and record the final risk level from the risk assessment completed for the most recent investigation. This is either the investigation that led to case opening or placement, or the most recent subsequent assigned referral that was investigated. If an initial risk assessment was not completed on the referral that led to case opening or a subsequent assigned referral, score "c" (high risk) as the initial risk level for the household.
Do not use a prior risk reassessment or reunification reassessment risk level.
Identify whether there has been a new substantiated investigation since either the initial risk assessment that led to case opening or, if at least one reunification reassessment has been completed, the most recent reunification reassessment.
R3. Caregiver's progress with case plan objectives (as indicated by behavioral change)
(Compliance with/attendance of services is not sufficient to indicate behavioral change.)
Identify whether a caregiver is actively engaged in achieving the case plan objectives specified in the case plan and is demonstrating the skills/behaviors (e.g., ability to manage substance use/abuse; ability to resolve conflict constructively and respectfully; using age-appropriate, nonphysical discipline in conjunction with appropriate boundary setting; developing a mutually supportive relationship with partner) that will enable the caregiver to create and maintain safety for the child.
"Case plan objectives" specifically refers to the service objective type in the child welfare services case management system (CWS/CMS) case plan, identifying the changes in caregiver behavior that are necessary to create and maintain safety.
If there are two caregivers, rate progress for each. If progress differs between caregivers, score based on the caregiver demonstrating the least amount of participation/progress.
After determining the scored risk level, assess whether any override conditions are present. Consider only the most recent review period. If this is the first reunification reassessment, consider the period since the initial risk assessment. If this is not the initial reunification reassessment, consider the period since the last reunification reassessment. Overrides require supervisory approval.
Indicate whether a policy override condition exists. The presence of one or more mandatory policy override conditions increases the risk level to very high.
Divide the total number of completed visits by the number of planned visits. Visits that are appreciably shortened by late arrival/early departure are considered missed. Do not count visits as missed or planned that did not occur for reasons not attributable to the household (e.g., foster parent failed to make the child available, transportation that the agency was required to provide did not occur).
Actual visits / Available visits = Visitation Frequency
Total:
Caregiver regularly attends visits or calls in advance to reschedule (90% to 100% compliance).
Routine:
Caregiver misses visits occasionally and rarely requests to reschedule visits (65% to 89% compliance).
Sporadic:
Caregiver misses or reschedules many scheduled visits (26% to 64% compliance).
Rare or Never:
Caregiver does not visit or attends 25% or fewer of the allowed visits (0% to 25% compliance).
Strong/Adequate
Note: Visitation may have progressed to include unsupervised and/or extended visits, but progression to extended visits is not required in order to score the quality of visits as adequate/strong.
Limited/Destructive
Visitation is supervised for safety.
The agency has determined that reunification will not be considered if there is a requirement that all visits be supervised for the child's safety.
Discretionary
A worker may determine that unusual circumstances exist that warrant changing an "adequate" response to an "inadequate" response, or changing "inadequate" to "adequate." The reason for this change must be documented and supervisory approval is required (e.g., quality of visits was strong, and 64% of visits were completed; all missed visits were due to documented medical emergencies).
Prior to assessing current safety, the worker should review the safety assessment that led to removal.
Review the original safety assessment, list the initial safety threats, and describe how the initial safety threats were resolved OR, if not resolved, what the current circumstances are that would pose an immediate threat of harm if the child were to be reunified.
Consider how safe the child would be if he/she were to be returned home at this time. Consider current conditions in the home, current caregiver characteristics, child characteristics, and interactions between the caregiver and child during visitation.
Consider whether any overrides are applicable. If no overrides apply, mark "No overrides applicable (policy or discretionary)." If an override will be applied, indicate whether it is a policy or a discretionary override and mark the specific reason.
Policy
For all children
Child has been in placement for 15 of the last 22 months (change to "Terminate FR").
For Children under age of 3 at most recent removal The tree leads to "Terminate FR" and it is the six-month hearing or before, BUT there is a probability of reunification within six months (change to "Continue FR"). There is a probability of reunification within six months, based on the requirements of California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) § 366.21 (g) (1) (A-C).
For all children The tree leads to "Continue FR," but conditions exist to recommend termination of FR (change to "Terminate FR"). Conditions exist to recommend termination.
Discretionary
Unique considerations exist that warrant an alternative decision. If yes, indicate the permanency plan goal that is being recommended (Return Home, Continue FR, Terminate FR).
The SDM recommendation summary is designed to record worker decisions. In addition to the SDM reunification reassessment, the worker should consider all relevant Division 31 regulations and Welfare and Institution Code statutes and should consult with his/her supervisor.
For each child being assessed, record the final recommendation.
This section applies only if at least one child under the age of 3 at the time of removal was recommended for termination of reunification services, and at least one other child has any other recommendation.
Mark "yes" if all siblings will be considered as a group. Mark "no" if siblings will be assessed individually.
If yes, the recommendation for all children will be "terminate reunification services."