Children’s Charter Forensic Services Program provides Child Trauma and Parenting Capacity Evaluations primarily through referrals from the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF).

General Information

• Evaluations are completed by licensed Social Workers and Psychologists with experience and training in forensic evaluations, child development, impact of abuse and neglect, parenting and attachment, child welfare, and legal issues.
• When needed, evaluators provide expert Court testimony regarding the findings of their evaluations.
• Evaluation services are not covered by insurance.
• Almost all evaluation appointments take place at Children’s Charter’s offices at 77 Rumford Avenue, Waltham, MA.
• For all evaluations clinicians request DCF records and ask for a signed release of information to speak with relevant collaterals (e.g., foster parents, residential program staff, therapists, school counselors, pediatricians) of child clients or children in care whose parent(s) is/are being evaluated.

Psychological testing as a stand-alone service is not available.

Child Trauma Evaluations

Forensic clinicians conduct child trauma evaluations of children between the ages of 3 and 18. Child trauma evaluations are wholistic evaluations that take an in-depth look at the impact of child abuse and neglect on all areas of a child’s functioning. Cultural considerations are included. Children attend 4-6 sessions with a trained evaluator who may include the use of various assessment tools as part of the evaluation. The evaluations include recommendations related to the child’s current behaviors and needs, and address questions regarding individualized treatment needs, parent-child relationship, support and accommodations, and permanency planning. Child trauma evaluations are typically completed within 90 days and include psychological testing when indicated and post evaluation review with the guardian and caregiver.

Parenting Capacity Evaluations (PCE)

Forensic clinicians conduct Parenting Capacity Evaluations referred by DCF. A Parenting Capacity Evaluation (PCE) is an assessment of an individual caregiver’s capacity to meet the physical, emotional, health, and safety needs of their specific child(ren). As part of a PCE, Children’s Charter clinicians strive to understand cultural, ethnic, and racial factors as they relate to parenting. PCEs are completed within 60 days and include a parent child observation, psychological testing when indicated and post-evaluation review with the parent.

Specialty Evaluations

The Forensic services program also offers School-Based Risk Assessments and Department of Developmental Services consultations and evaluations. On a case-by-case basis Children’s Charter accepts self-pay evaluations.