A research team at Berkeley has established criteria for assessment tools for the child welfare system and evaluated 85 instruments. Seven instruments were determined to be the most comprehensive and appropriate for the child welfare system. The researchers declared that, “of the seven most promising instruments, the NCFAS and the NCFAS-R appear to be the most relevant for use in child welfare settings.” Especially noteworthy were the strengths-based orientation and extensive testing of the tools with child welfare populations.

Dr. Ray Kirk from the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, developed the NCFAS for use with Intensive Family Preservation Services (IFPS) for intact families. The National Family Preservation Network (NFPN) commissioned Dr. Kirk to develop the NCFAS-R to assist with families who are being reunified. NFPN offers training packages on both tools as well as on-site training.

The research team at Berkeley focuses on assisting county human services agencies to implement best practice that is based on research findings. Some of the criteria used to evaluate the assessment tools included:

• Comprehensiveness
• Extent to which change can be measured over time
• Population served
• Ease of use

The NCFAS and NCFAS-R met these criteria and both have also been found valid and reliable. The researchers explained the importance of quality assurance in linking assessment information to service plans. They provided an example of how the NCFAS is being used with a differential response program and key factors in quality assurance. NFPN is developing its own quality assurance checklist for use with the NCFAS and NCFAS-R. We have also collaborated with the Institute for Family Development to provide forms and procedures to link scale ratings to goal setting and case planning.

NFPN is very pleased that the high quality and usefulness of the NCFAS and NCFAS-R assessment tools have been validated through an independent study. All of the service models, programs, and products supported by NFPN are evidence-based, and we strive to maintain quality in all that we do. Special thanks to Dr. Kirk for his years of work in developing and testing the assessment tools.

To read the full research study, visit:
http://www.nfpn.org/comparisons/

For more information on the NCFAS and NCFAS-R tools and training packages, visit:
http://www.nfpn.org/tools/

- Priscilla Martens
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