ASSESSMENT STANDARDS FOR ADOLESCENTS

AGES 14-18

 

The adolescent component of the First Placement, Best Placement assessment is part of the comprehensive assessment program to successfully guide young people (ages 14 to 21) from foster care to self-sufficiency.  The observations and recommendations derived from the assessment are presented at the Multi-Disciplinary Team staffing (MDT). The MDT explores options for an adolescent and makes suggestions/recommendations about youth moving from the foster care system into independent living.  Adolescent assessments are used as a key component in the development of a transitional living plan.

 

The assessment is strength based and solution oriented. 

 

The assessment is designed to be completed in partnership with teens so they can identify areas of strength and challenges as they move toward transition.

 

The assessment serves as a determinant for participation in the Transitional Living Program.  The following areas and domains must be evaluated and included as an integral part of the assessment:

 

1.     Independent Living Skills

·       Daily Living Tasks

·       Self Care

·       Housing and Community Resources

·       Social Development

·       Money Management

2.     Family of Origin Strength and Issues

3.     Interpersonal Relationships and Social Support Networks

4.     Future Perspective

5.     Pre-Vocational and Vocational Goals

6.     Alcohol and Drug Use

7.     Coping Skills and Self Esteem

8.     Sensitive Issues

9.     Interviews with Youth, Caregivers, Caseworkers and Teachers

10.  Functioning

 

Interviews

 

The assessment is youth centered.  Collateral interviews should be completed with parents, caseworkers and/or teachers.  Collateral material may also be available in the Family Assessment and Psychological Evaluation.

 

 

 

 

Report

 

A report is generated from this assessment, which is used to help develop a Written Transitional Living Plan (WTLP).  The WTLP directs the work of the Life Coach and Independent Living Coordinator with the adolescent.  The youth receives a summary of the report and a copy of the WTLP.

 

 

ADOLESCENT ASSESSMENT REQUIRED TOOLS

 

 

Required Tools

 

Functional Assessment

 

1.  Independent Living Skills

Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment (ACLSA)

                  This scale is available for free at www.caseylifeskills.org

 

  • Daily Living Tasks

 
  • Self-care

 
  • Housing and community resources

 
  • Social Development

 
  • Money Management

 
  • Work & Study Habits

 

 

 

2.  Family of Origin

Genogram. To help youth explore their roots and history.

 

3.  Interpersonal Relationships

Ecomaps (Focus on youth’s friendship and social support network)

 

4.  Future Perspective:

Have youth write a passage about their goals and dreams.

Have youth draw their future goals (e.g. crystal ball drawing - present a line drawing of a

crystal ball and ask youth to draw their future)

 

5.  Pre-Vocational and Vocational

 

IDEAS: (Interest Determination, Exploration and Assessment System)

 

The IDEAS is designed to help youth identify their career interests. The IDEAS is a short, easy to administer inventory. The inventory consists of 128 items that explore an individual’s likes and dislikes regarding a set of activities. The items are scored and the results are presented in a simple profile format. The profile helps the student examine their level of interest in six main categories and 16 subcategories of career interests.

 

The IDEAS can be ordered from NCS at 1-800-627-7271

 

6.  Alcohol and Drug Questionnaire:

 

This is a two-part questionnaire that asks youth about their current and past substance abuse.

This questionnaire is not scored. It is a qualitative instrument. The evaluating team will need to use their professional judgment to determine if a referral for a drug screen and/or substance abuse evaluation is recommended.   (A copy can be obtained from Wendy Hanevold Ph.D. at hanevold@mindspring.com or 404-583-7333)

 

7.  Coping Skills and Self-Esteem

 

Self-Esteem Index (SEI)

(Can be ordered from PAR-Psychological Assessment Resources at 1-800-331-8378)

 

Draw a strength

 

8.  Life Experience-Inventories and Questionnaires

 

Sensitive Issues Inventory-Adolescent

(A copy can be obtained from Wendy Hanevold Ph.D. at hanevold@mindspring.com or

404-583-7333)

 

9.  Interviews

 

The assessment is youth centered.  Collateral interviews should be completed with parents, caseworkers and/or teachers. Collateral material may also be available in the Family Assessment and Psychological Evaluation.

 

 

Note:  The above is a list of required instruments and questionnaires. You may add additional tools and assessment results to the Adolescent Assessment.