What are Harm and Danger Statements? ​ "Actual experiences of past or current harm to a child by a caregiver and our resulting concerns and worries about what may happen in the future.​" Although Harm Statements and Danger Statements are separate from each other in their specific focus and purpose, they are interrelated in how and why they are used by child welfare professionals. Harm and Danger Statements are descriptions of behaviors exhibited by caregivers that have created past or current harm to a child, and our resulting concerns and worries about what may happen in the future if those behaviors continue.​ ​The primary consideration in both statements is the impact that the caregiver’s actions have had or are currently having on the child(ren). Sometimes there are dangerous situations that are present within families that are not child welfare concerns. Safety mapping helps to "tease out" these possibilities. ​ As you try writing these statements, be sure to do so in clear, non-judgmental, easily understandable language with a focus on caregiver, behavior, and impact on the child. See below for further description and examples

Harm Statements Harm statements are clear and specific statements about the harm or maltreatment that has happened to children in the care of their caretakers or parents. The harm statement needs to include specific details such as who reported, what happened, where it happened, when it happened. An understanding of past harm is crucial to developing a plan for safety and well being, as research shows that the best predictor of future danger is the pattern of past harm. Example Harm Statement 1. WHO REPORTED (OR "IT WAS REPORTED THAT...") 2. THE SPECIFICS OF WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CHILD(REN) 3 IMPACT IT HAD ON THE CHILD 1) The hospital social worker and the doctor at the hospital told CPS that 2) Neveah (12 mos.) was brought in to the hospital yesterday by her paternal uncle, who told the receptionist that he thinks Jessica and Alex are using meth and not feeding Neveah enough. Uncle said that when he went to their house yesterday, no one was home, the front door was open, and Neveah was on the floor crying. 3) She appeared to not have been bathed for several days and had a dirty diaper with a severe rash. The doctor said that Neveah is extremely underweight and appears to be developmentally delayed. ​ ​​Is your response to #1 clear and will the family know who you are talking about? Are your behaviors in #2 specific and exclusively related to child welfare concerns? Is the impact on the child(ren) in #3 specific and directly related to the caretaker's behavior? Is the entire statement written in easily understood language without any "jargon"? Then you may be ready to take your Harm Statement to a colleague for consultation or to use it in a discussion with the family.

Danger statement's clearly identify the worries about what may happen to the child in their parents' care if their (parents) behaviors do not change. Danger statements are a representation of the child welfare agency's primary concerns. These are the issues that must be addressed for the case to be closed. For each harm statement, you will usually have a corresponding danger statement. You may also have a danger statement that corresponds to the most serious complicating factors if you think that it could lead to future harm or maltreatment of the children. ​ Example Danger Statement ​ 1. Who is worried? 2. What behaviors are worrisome? 3. What is the impact on the child(ren)?CPS and the Dr. Juarez are worried that Jessica and Alex will not feed Neveah often enough and well enough and that Neveah might become sick and not grow properly because she isn't getting the food she needs to be healthy. CPS is worried is worried that Jessica and Alex will leave Neveah at home alone and that Neveah might be scared, might hurt herself, or be hurt by someone who comes into the house. ​Is your response to #1 clear and will the family know who you are talking about? Are your behaviors in #2 specific and exclusively related to child welfare concerns? Is the impact on the child(ren) in #3 specific and directly related to the caretaker's behavior? Is the entire statement written in easily understood language without any "jargon"? Then you may be ready to take your Danger Statement to a colleague for consultation or to use it in a discussion with the family.

What are Complicating Factors? "Anything that complicates the provision of safety and well being to the child but is not direct harm from the caregiver.​" Complicating factors are the phenomena present in most child welfare cases that cause concern and may need to be addressed, but are not in and of themselves directly related to specific child welfare related harm and danger. Sometimes these complicating factors do not have any current impact on the children. Some examples of complicating factors can include caregivers dealing with substance abuse issues, homelessness, mental illness, and cognitive challenges. Although these things can sometimes have a harmful impact on the child, they often will not. The key factor to consider is the of impact of these factors on the safety and well being of the child.

What about Safety? ​"Actions of protection by a caregiver, specifically related to the current harm and danger, demonstrated over time." If we don’t ask about the history of protection as it relates to the current danger, we only know part of the story. Often caregivers take steps to protect children that may not be enough to provide safety and well being, but could be utilized as a starting point to work from with the family. Key questions to ask families as you work with them are: What steps have you taken in the past to protect your child(ren) from these dangers? What steps are you taking now? What are you willing to do going forward? As the worker, consider the question: What actions has the family taken in the past to keep the children safe, in relation to the danger? Statements of existing safety describe times when the parents/caregivers have taken actions or made decisions that led to the children being safe in relation to specific child welfare related dangers. Statements need to be specific and describe the actions/behaviors by parents (or other caregivers) that resulted in safety for children Example: Erica told her case worker that a few weeks her boyfriend was coming over and she knew that they would be partying with friends and that alcohol and drugs would be involved. Erika called her sister Linda and arranged for the children to sleep over at her house so that the children would not be left unsupervised as they had been last time. Her case worker spoke with Linda who confirmed that this happened and gave details about the time she spent with the children as well as when Erica picked them up and her ability to care for them at that time.

What are Supporting Strengths? ​"Positive elements or factors in a child or family’s life that are good for that family, that support that family, but in and of themselves do not directly address or minimize the current dangers.​" ​ Consider things like coping strategies, extended family or community, past history of recovery, participation in services. These are all important things that can built upon, but if they don’t translate into clear actions that protect children from the current dangers, they are strengths, not safety ​Supporting strengths are things that are happening in the family or resources/capacities of the parents/caregivers that make things better for the child, particularly in relation to what we are worried about.