Missouri currently uses the Structured Decision Making (SDM) Risk Assessment as part of the SDM suite. It is best practice to revalidate risk assessments periodically to ensure they align with local populations, current practice expectations, family engagement best practices, and national guidance on risk identification and response. The current version is being revalidated to better inform next steps for case planning or service intensity, and update items to reflect Missouri’s current policies or the needs and characteristics of its population.
In Progress Tasks
September – October
- Review and finalize the policy use case, with Evident Change and the workgroup preparing recommendations for leadership approval.
- Begin preparation for the Participatory Risk Validation process, including planning for the first onsite session.
Next Steps
November
- Hold the first Participatory Risk Validation onsite session
- Establish a shared understanding of the purpose and use of the risk assessment in Missouri.
- Review the current risk assessment and identify opportunities for improvement.
December
- Hold the second Participatory Risk Validation onsite session.
- Review and evaluate potential SDM risk assessment models proposed by Evident Change.
- Consider options for improving the tool’s accuracy, equity, and practical usefulness.
2027
January–March
- Present the recommended Participatory Risk Validation model to leadership for review and final approval.
- Identify the team that will lead customization of the risk assessment and case closure guide.
- Prepare for customization sessions, including development of meeting objectives and materials.
April
- Conduct an onsite assessment customization session with Evident Change and Children’s Division stakeholders.
- Customize risk assessment definitions and supporting policy to align with Missouri practice.
- Customize the SDM case closure guide and related guidance.
- Finalize customization decisions.
May–September
- Develop e-learning modules to support implementation.
- Develop training materials, including presentation decks, practice scenarios, and guidance tools for supervisors, managers, and frontline staff.
- Create a concise project overview for leadership, highlighting key objectives, findings, decisions, and expected outcomes.
- Present the project overview to leadership for review and approval.
- Develop and refine a train-the-trainer curriculum and establish plans for statewide delivery.
- Partner with IT to define system requirements, testing plans, and implementation needs.
- Obtain Evident Change certification of the finalized SDM risk assessment and case closure guide.
Completed Tasks
- 2026 - Quarter 3
July
- Began planning for policy use case development sessions, including session structure and participant identification.
- Reviewed options for completing a risk reassessment versus a case closure guide and determined next steps for development.
- Launched use case development sessions with Children’s Division staff, facilitated by Evident Change, to inform development of the risk assessment.
August
- Identify members for the Participatory Risk Validation Workgroup
- Continue use case development sessions to gather input and refine how the risk assessment will support practice.
- 2026 - Quarter 2
April
- Interim policy developed and finalized
- Evident Change completed analysis of transferred datasets and collaborated with Children's Division when clarification was needed
May
- Evident Change to produce a comprehensive report detailing data findings, themes, and key considerations
- Formal presentation of data findings and recommendations to Children's Divisions project leadership.
June
- Results shared with stakeholders; feedback collected to inform policy development and tool redesign
- Evident Change to provide Children's Division with a recommended approach for tool enhancement or redevelopment
- Detailed next-steps and development timeline created based on the selected approach
- 2026 - Quarter 1
January
- Conducted listening sessions with both Investigations and Family Centered Services teams
February
- Collaborated to develop interim policy and procedures, and presented to leadership
March
- Conducted listening sessions with identified external stakeholders
- Continued collaboration to develop interim policy and procedures
- 2025 - Quarter 4
October
- Created and validated the scope-of-work timeline with Evident Change, using chart-identified milestone ranges
- Completed the first round of data transfer and validation with Evident Change
- All relevant Missouri policy, memos, guidance, and procedural documents provided to Evident Change
November
- Provided a full data set to Evident Change
- Evident Change reviewed current risk assessment and reassessment processes to identify inconsistencies and areas for improvement
December
- Children's Division and Evident Change debriefed early findings and started conversations around immediate policy adjustments needed to stabilize practice
- 2025 - Quarter 3
August
- Submitted and processed research request
- Coded and prepared the required datasets
September
- Launched contract work and aligned expectations between Evident Change (EC) and Children's Division (CD)