---
title: Using Clinical Assessment to Enhance Adoption Success
description: "When mental health professionals are working with children who have experienced the child welfare system, it is important to utilize an assessment that specifically addresses the unique experiences. Child welfare competent assessments should include 5 key domains: 1. Child trauma…"
url: "https://bridges4mentalhealth.org/hub/adoption-competence/using-clinical-assessment-to-enhance-adoption-success/"
updated: "2026-07-31"
category: Adoption Competent Mental Health
tags:
  - Article
  - Audience
  - Mental health professionals
---

# Using Clinical Assessment to Enhance Adoption Success

When mental health professionals are working with children who have experienced the child welfare system, it is important to utilize an assessment that specifically addresses the unique experiences. Child welfare competent assessments should include 5 key domains:

1. Child trauma & traumatic stress
 2. Child & adolescent functioning
 3. Parent-child relationship & attachment
 4. Parent functioning
 5. Adoption specific adjustment

 

[Read More](https://articulateusercontent.com/review/items/_XacMrWEHN0PRFj8/story_content/external_files/Using%20Clinical%20Assessment%20to%20Enhance%20Adoption%20Success.pdf)

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