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Families First - Assessment Tool
HOUSING
Thriving:
- Lives in house of choice.
- Spends less than 20% of income on housing.
- Children have area to play in a safe and secure neighborhood.
Safe:
- Lives in affordable housing.
- Spends less than 1/3 of income for housing.
- Feels safe in neighborhood.
At Risk:
- Spends more than 33% of income on housing.
- Housing has numerous health and "safety violations.
- Living in temporary or shared housing.
- Neighborhood is not safe, illegal activity taking place.
NUTRITION
Thriving:
- Can afford a variety of food.
- Has appliances necessary to prepare food.
- Has and uses knowledge of basic nutrition.
- Eats well-balanced, regularly scheduled meals.
Safe:
- Has enough food to satisfy hunger.
- Has appliances and utensils needed to prepare food.
- Understands basic nutrition.
- Eats three meals a day.
At Risk:
- Not enough food to satisfy family's hunger.
- Unable to prepare food.
- Little or no knowledge of basic nutrition.
- Eats only when food is available.
HEALTH STATUS
Thriving:
- Physical challenges are being met; no serious health problems.
- Practices preventive health and dental habits.
- Established with health care professionals.
- Members have regular health and dental check ups.
- Members get exercise regularly and do not practice unhealthy habits, such as smoking, drugs, unsafe sex, etc.
Safe:
- Ongoing health problems are adequately managed; can get health care when needed, seek timely treatment
- Family has sound basic health and hygiene practices.
- Members exercise occasionally, do not practice unhealthy habits.
At Risk:
- Members can not get or do not seek medical care when sick.
- Members do not care for selves; health problems are ignored.
- Members practice unhealthy habits, such as smoking, drugs, unsafe sex, etc.
ALCOHOL/DRUG USE
Thriving:
- Members do not use illegal drugs; members drink moderately if at all.
- Parents model appropriate behavior and teach children skills needed for abuse-free lifestyle.
- Former abusers are following an effective recovery plan.
Safe:
- No drug or alcohol abuse in immediate family.
- Parents discuss use of drugs/alcohol with children. Abuser and family have sought appropriate treatment.
At Risk:
- Evidence of substance abuse in the home.
- Abuser and the family deny problem, refuses treatment.
- No discussion of drug or alcohol usage in the home.
EMPLOYMENT
Thriving.
- Employed by thriving business with the opportunity for advancement in occupation of choice.
- Offers a living wage and comprehensive benefits package.
Safe:
- Employed by secure company with job security. Moderate wage with health benefits.
- Has developed a marketable skill.
At Risk.
- No job, or minimum-level job without benefits, health insurance or growth opportunities.
- Insufficient wage to meet living expenses.
- Lacks marketable skills.
INCOME/BUDGET
Thriving:
- Sufficient to provide some disposable income. Able to save 10% of income.
- Established relationship with financial institution.
- Pays bills on time, manages debt load without depriving family.
Safe:
- Sufficient to meet basic family needs, saves when possible, lives within monthly budget.
- Able to secure credit.
- Pays bills on time.
At Risk:
- Unable to meet basic needs.
- Unpaid bills, overwhelming debt load.
- Spontaneous and inappropriate spending.
ADULT EDUCATION & TRAINING
Thriving.
- Has post-High School/GED training or education.
- Has positive attitude toward learning.
- Sets and pursues long range career and personal goals.
Safe:
- Has High School diploma or GED.
- Sets and pursues short and long term career and personal goals.
At Risk:
- School drop out, history of academic failure.
- Has not set career or personal goals.
- Does not consider education important.
CHILDREN'S EDUCATION/CHILD CARE
Thriving:
- Student doing well in school, gets good grades.
- Assignments and homework always completed.
- Little or no absenteeism, no discipline problems.
- Learning disabilities are addressed as necessary.
- Parent involved and aware of child's school life.
- Parent reinforces an active life-long learning model.
Safe:
- Passing marks in most subjects, extra help sought when needed.
- Few discipline problems, occasional absenteeism. Parents aware of child's school life.
- Student gets along with others.
At Risk:
- Failing one or more subjects, no help being sought, homework not often completed.
- Continual discipline problems, frequent absenteeism.
- Conflict with teachers and other students.
- No parental involvement.
PARENTING
Thriving:
- Parent and children enjoy each other.
- Children are happy and well adjusted, conflicts easily resolved.
- Consistent discipline and expectations.
Safe:
- Children physically and emotionally safe.
- Realistic rules and expectations.
- Children and parents relate well.
At Risk:
- Children are withdrawn, violent and aggressive, fearful of parents.
- Parents and children are unhappy.
- Unrealistic or nonexistent rules.
- Outside placement is threatened.
FAMILY RELATIONS
Thriving:
- Strong positive family identity, nurturing environment.
- Supportive network of family and/or friends.
Safe:
- Positive extended family support, good sense of family unity.
- Members feel physically and emotionally safe end secure.
- Family seeks to identify and change negative behavior.
At Risk:
- No family identity, family make-up changes frequently.
- Members feel isolated, do not relate well to each other.
- Family has no community ties.
- Members are (or are perceived to be) in danger of physical violence.
TRANSPORTATION
Thriving:
- Family owns a safe, reliable, and affordable vehicle.
- All members have safe and dependable ways to get to school or work.
Safe:
- Family has access to safe vehicle or modes of transportation when necessary.
- Members can get safely to work or school without interruption.
At Risk:
- Family lacks dependable means to get to school and work on a regular basis, inhibiting secure employment.
- Members are unable to attend extracurricular activities, evening or weekend activities.
This Assessment Tool is from Montachusett Opportunity Counci (MOC). |
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