Core Element Overview

The Team conducts a comprehensive collaborative assessment that involves the ongoing process of gathering necessary accurate historic and current information about the needs, strengths, and culture of a youth and their family. The Team evaluates the relevance of that information and also develops a comprehensive life history, a psychosocial narrative of the youth and family in the context of their environment, experiences, culture, and present situation.

Clinical understanding is informed by (but not limited to) initial consultation with the youth, family, and treatment providers as well as others on the home based team such as occupational therapist, consulting or treating psychiatrist (when clinically warranted), and DMH. The assessment process results in an interpretive summary and clinical formulation that can be understood and supported by family members, professional helpers, and natural supports on the Family Team.

The assessment process helps the Family Team (inclusive of the youth/parent/caregiver/legal authorized representative [LAR]) identify focal needs and prioritize treatment goals. The clinical formulation prioritizes the psychological safety and wellbeing risks for youth placed out-of-home and promotes urgency to resolve barriers to safely remaining home or transitioning home. Assessment and clinical understanding changes over time as new information arises and the family situation changes.

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