In 1998, the CMAP (Case Management Assessment Process) was developed jointly by the Washington Association of Juvenile Court Administrators (WAJCA) and the Washington State Institute of Public Policy (WSIPP). The assessment tool was development from input from probation line staff, juvenile court administrators as well as researched-based knowledge from Dr. Robert Barnoski from the WSIPP. The instrument contains highly relevant assessment content and profiles factors that are critical to promoting positive outcomes for youth who are involved with criminal justice system.

The CMAP assessment includes both static and dynamic risk factors. These factors are based on many years of research of the predictors of delinquent behaviors. These factors allow probation officers to distinguish between cases that will do well or do poorly in the future. In addition, the CMAP includes a third sub-set, protective factors or "strengths". Protective factors refer to characteristics and resources of youth and their families that help insulate them from negative outcomes and help insure their success.

The CMAP consists of a Pre-Screen version as well as a more detailed "Full Assessment". The pre-screen is used as an initial review of a youth's characteristics to determine case supervision as well as eligibility for interventions. The pre-screen consists of thirty-one questions that reflect the most powerful risk factors to determine level of risk. Only youth that have been assessed as moderate or high risk are required to complete a full assessment.

The Full Assessment consists of ten separate domains or subsets: Criminal History, School, Free Time,Employment, Relationships, Family, Drugs/ Alcohol, Mental Health, Attitude/Behaviors, and Skills. The full assessment includes both risk and protective factors. The full assessment allows the probation counselor to develop a detailed profile of the risks, needs and protective factors that are present in the case plan and refer youth to an appropriate intervention.