Brief Focused Assessments (BFA) offer an alternative to comprehensive child custody and physical placement evaluations. BFAs assist the court’s decision-making by providing answers to well defined, specific questions, identified by the court. The BFA concludes with a report to the court, parents, and the attorneys of record. The report will summarize the focus of the assessment and will outline the procedures and information gathered in the process. A summary analysis of the information may include opinions and/or recommendations related to the issue specified in the BFA. The BFA should be completed 60 days from the day of assignment, unless there is domestic violence or the court extends the time. If a BFA referral is unclear, the FCS Director may request clarification from the assigned judge. These requests will be copied to all parties. If during the course of a BFA the counselor identifies significant concerns outside of the referral, they will promptly inform the judge, who may choose to modify the referral.
The BFA will conclude with the submission of a written report to the Court, the attorneys and parties. The report will summarize the focus of the assessment and attempt to answer the specific questions identified at the point of referral. A summary and analysis of the information may include opinions and/or recommendations related to the issues specified in the BFA referral.
