SDM Assessment Skills Lab – Core 3.0 – Classroom

Level: Line Worker CORE

Credits: 9

Intended Audience: This course is intended for new child welfare workers and meets the state requirements for Line Worker CORE version 3.0 Assessment Block.

Description of Course: This course provides skills practice using critical thinking skills in child welfare assessment and incorporates the use of the Structured Decision Making (SDM) assessment system as a tool for assessing safety, risk, protective capacity, priority strengths and priority needs.

Intended Objectives: After completing this course the trainee will be able to:

• Recognize key definitions used in the SDM assessment system, including:
  • Excessive discipline
  • Primary caregiver
  • Policy override
  • Substance abuse
• Given multiple case scenarios, apply SDM definitions and complete the following SDM tools:
  • SDM Hotline Tools,
  • SDM Safety Assessment Tool
  • SDM Risk Assessment Tool
  • SDM Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA) Tool
  • SDM In-Home Risk Assessment
  • SDM Reunification Reassessment Tool
• Value how the SDM model, SDM tools and definitions were developed in order to appreciate the accuracy and consistency of recommended decisions

Topics Include:

• SDM and Key Concepts Related to Decision Making
• Hotline Assessment (Optional)
• Safety Assessment
• Safety Planning
• Risk Assessment
• Family Strengths and Needs Assessment
• Risk Reassessment
• Reunification Assessment