The cross-domain Colorado Family Support Assessment, Version 2.0 tool is designed to assess baseline and follow-up family strengths and needs, monitor progress towards economic security, health, and increased conditions that protect against child maltreatment.
The tool has three parts with a total of 37 items:
- Part A: Objective indicators assess a family’s status in 14 domains. Eight of which comprise the Economic Self-Sufficiency Scale (includes income, employment, housing, transportation, food security, adult education, cash savings, and health coverage), two additional domains comprise the Health Scale (includes health and mental health), with four remaining domains (includes childcare, child education, debt management, and substance abuse).
- Part B: FRIENDS’ Protective Factors Survey which assesses multiple factors to prevent child abuse and neglect.
- Part C: Readiness-to-Change Scale to assist families to self-prioritize areas for change and goal setting.
Target Population: CFSA 2.0 is designed for use with individual adults and caregivers from diverse populations. The tool is appropriate for use with any family/individual who is ready to set goals and make a change in one or more of the 14 domains. The tool has been used with families referred by a local Department of Human/Social Service or other family service agency, families participating in the Parents as Teachers (PAT) Program, families who are participating in parenting classes, and families who are identified as those who would benefit from more assistance in the 14 domains of Part A or in the Protective Factors Survey.
Administer Time: The time to complete the CFSA 2.0 baseline assessment and each follow up assessment, conducted at 31–90-day intervals, may average 45–60 minutes per administration. This is due to the client-led conversation administration format and the use of Motivational Interviewing skills.
Completed By: The tool is intended to be used by trained service providers at organizations with a culture that values parents and other caregivers as equal partners in identifying their own prioritized goals to increase their economic security and health outcomes. Trained family development workers administer Part A of the tool using an interview format to identify family strengths and areas of need. The family fills out Part B. Part C is completed using an interview format in partnership with families to identify their areas for growth and change resulting in a service plan.
Available Modalities: Computerized, Pen and Paper
Scoring Information: There is no cumulative score; rather each part is scored independently. Part A includes key definitions and a scale for each domain, which is used to score those 14 items either by hand or on a computer by the trained service provider. Part B is scored using the Protective Factors Survey Administration Guidance and may be filled out by hand by the adult/caregiver. Part C is scored using a readiness scale that is included in the tool. Primarily the tool is hand scored and reviewed with the adult/caregiver when completing Part C for goal-setting purposes. FRCA’s database features both computerized scoring and reporting functionality of the tool.
Training Requirements: There is a training package that is required to be completed before any staff member can administer the CFSA 2.0 which includes: Pre-requirement: Completion of the Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening and Support Programs (12 hours over two-days), offered through state networks or the National Family Support Network. Administration of the CFSA 2.0, including basic Motivational Interviewing skills to help families create self-identified goals (14 hours over two-days), offered through Family Resource Center Association. After completion of these trainings, an individual licensing agreement is provided for the staff/trainee to administer the tool. Additionally, a one-time agency licensing agreement is required. There is no minimum degree or professional licensing requirement to administer the tool.
Availability: There are two costs to begin using the CFSA 2.0: Administration fee: This is a one-time licensing fee of $150 per agency. Training fees per staff member/trainee: $225 covers the Administration of the CFSA 2.0 training, including basic Motivational Interviewing skills. Pre-required Standard of Quality for Family Strengthening and Support Programs training cost varies by training network from $0-125 per trainee. After completion of the required training, the English, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Spanish digital versions of the tool are provided to the staff/agency. Optional Cost: Use of the FRCA database for computerized scoring and reporting has an annual subscription cost of $10,000.
