RI DCYF CPI Exam Part 1

how are impending dangers defined?

dangerous family conditions that represent situations/circumstances which place a child in a continuous state of danger

what are the imposed risks of impending dangers?

out of control in the presence of a vulnerable child and are therefore likely to have severe effects on a child at any time in the near future

what are the ‘situations/circumstances’ for impending dangers?

caregiver behaviors, emotions, attitudes, perceptions, motives, and intentions

why do impending dangers exist?

they exist within a child’s home as a result of those with caregiving responsibility that possess diminished ‘caregiver protective capacity’

what is caregiver protective capacity?

a reference to one’s (personal and caregiving) behavioral, cognitive, and emotional characteristics that specifically and directly can be associated with their caregiving performance

what does caregiver protective capacity contribute to?

the presence or absence of vigilant child protection, a safe environment, and the child’s well-being

what is the ‘behavior’ characteristic in caregiver protective capacity?

specific action, activity, or performance that is consistent with and results in parenting and protective vigilance

what is the ‘cognitive’ characteristic in caregiver protective capacity?

specific intellect, knowledge, understanding, and perception that results in parenting and protective vigilance

what is the ‘emotional’ characteristic in caregiver protective capacity?

specific feelings, attitudes, identification with a child, and motivation that result in parenting and protective vigilance

is impending danger always immediately apparent?

no, it may not even be active or threatening the child’s safety upon initial family contact

what assessment categorizes and documents family conditions to potentially identify impending danger?

the Family Functioning Assessment (FFA)

in order to meet the criteria to be considered an impending danger, a situation must include

dangerous family conditions that are out of control, likely to result in severe harm, specific, and observable

what criteria must be met to justify identification of an impending danger?

the ‘safety threshold criteria’ or ‘danger threshold criteria’

what is the Safety Threshold?

the point at which a negative condition goes beyond being concerning and actually becomes dangerous to a child’s safety. These negatively impact caregiver performance at a heightened degree and are more intense.

Danger Threshold Criteria

Observable, Vulnerable Child, Unmanaged, Imminent, and Severe (OVUIS)

what does observable mean in the danger threshold criteria?

refers to family behaviors, conditions, or situations that represent a danger to a child and are specific, definite, real, can be seen and understand

what does observable exclude for danger threshold criteria?

situations that include suspicion, intuitive feelings, difficulties in worker-family interaction, lack of cooperation, or lack of communication

what does vulnerable child mean in the danger threshold criteria?

a situation must include a child who is dependent on others for protection and/or is exposed to circumstances that he or she is powerless to manage. The child is accessible by a threat

how is vulnerability assessed for the danger threshold criteria?

based on age (all children 0-6), physical and emotional development, ability to communicate needs, mobility, size, and dependence + susceptibility. Can include older kids who meet some of the other criteria

what does unmanaged mean in the danger threshold criteria?

family behavior, conditions, or situations which are unrestrained and therefore result in an unpredictable and often chaotic family environment which is ‘out of control’. Cannot be managed by the family alone.

what does imminent mean in the danger threshold criteria?

family behaviors, conditions, or situations will remain active or become active within the next several days-weeks. indicates a degree of inevitability

what does severe mean in the danger threshold criteria?

the situation is considered severe if the effects of previous or impending dangers present severe harm

how is severe harm defined by the danger threshold criteria?

serious physical injury, disability, terror and extreme fear, impairment, and death. This looks like harsh and unacceptable pain and suffering for a vulnerable child