Parental Capacity Evaluations
Parental Capacity Evaluations, also referred to as Parental Fitness Evaluations, are psychological assessments designed to evaluate a parent’s capacity to provide for their child’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. These evaluations typically take place within the context of dependency proceedings, where abuse and/or neglect have been identified. At Dr. Robin Lowey & Associates, we conduct Parental Capacity Evaluations only after one or both parents have been court-ordered to participate in the process.
Our evaluations focus on a parent’s ability to create a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for their child. Specifically, we assess the parent’s capacity to meet their child’s fundamental needs, including access to adequate housing, nutrition, and healthcare. We also evaluate their ability to adhere to appropriate schedules for medical and dental care and to maintain their child’s hygiene. Beyond these basic needs, we examine how well the parent ensures the child’s safety in various situations. Additionally, we assess the parent’s emotional regulation, impulse control, and decision-making abilities, particularly when those decisions impact the child’s well-being.
At Dr. Robin Lowey & Associates, we use a comprehensive, unbiased approach to data collection, focusing on the parent’s strengths, areas for improvement, and any potential concerns. We recognize the gravity of these evaluations and approach each case with the sensitivity, compassion, and attention to detail it demands. The evaluation process includes an in-depth clinical interview and mental status examination of the parent, which may be conducted over several sessions to ensure thoroughness.
Parents are also asked to complete psychological assessments that evaluate a range of factors, including personality characteristics and psychological dysfunction, as well as tools specifically designed to assess parenting skills, parenting stress, and the potential for abusive behavior. We also gather relevant records and gather information from case workers, therapists, attorneys, and others involved with the family.
The evaluation concludes with a detailed written report that outlines the parent’s strengths and weaknesses. The report offers specific recommendations for interventions to address any identified concerns. Our expert testimony, along with our detailed reports, provides the court with the information necessary to make informed decisions regarding reunification or the termination of parental rights, always with the child’s best interests in mind.
Bonding Evaluations
A Bonding Evaluation is a psychological assessment conducted to provide information about the quality and nature of a child’s attachment to their caregiver, usually a birth parent or foster parent. This evaluation provides critical information to judges tasked with making decisions regarding reunification with a caregiver from whom a child has been removed. Bonding Evaluations also serve to inform decisions about whether parental rights should be terminated and how a child may be impacted by such decisions.
Typically, the central question in a Bonding Evaluation is how a child would be affected if reunification with a caregiver were to occur or if parental rights were terminated. While these evaluations are most commonly conducted in child welfare cases, they are also requested in custody disputes occasionally—especially when questions about the bond and relationship between a young child and a parent are raised when making decisions regarding the optimal custody arrangement for a child.
At Dr. Robin Lowey & Associates, we approach Bonding Evaluations with great sensitivity and empathy, recognizing the profound impact that these assessments can have on families. We aim to gather the most insightful data possible by observing the parent-child interaction in as natural a setting as possible. For this to be effective, we create an environment where both the parent and child feel comfortable, allowing for genuine interactions. This may require multiple observation sessions, though we are typically able to gather the necessary data in a single observation session.
In addition to direct observations, we conduct separate interviews with both the parent and child to gain deeper insight into their perceptions of the relationship. Interviews are also conducted with other significant individuals involved with the family, such as attorneys, therapists, case workers, and extended family members. We carefully review any relevant documentation to further inform our understanding as well.
Once all data has been collected, we synthesize the information into a comprehensive written report. This report provides a thorough analysis of the emotional bond and attachment between the parent and child. The final evaluation offers detailed recommendations for any necessary interventions and provides valuable insight to assist the court in making decisions about reunification that are in the best interest of the child.