Make sure that when you finish discussing a specific area (e.g., mental health or domestic violence), you have a clear understanding of the applicant's situation and that you have enough information to judge whether a referral is needed.

Make sure you identify any barriers the client faces and determine if the client needs any supportive services to achieve their goals.

Helpful suggestions, like when to make a referral and things to look for when working with the family, are included on the assessment forms. They are there to help you more accurately evaluate the family's situation.

Regardless of the method used to complete the assessment, information must be collected on all the areas concerning the client and their family necessary to have a clear understanding of the family's situation.