When preparing to conduct a CANS assessment for a young child, practitioners are encouraged to follow these guidelines:
: Ratings are translated into "action levels" to identify where immediate intervention is needed or where a child has significant strengths. Preparation Tips for Practitioners 0 (5).mp4
: At the end of the session, summarize both needs and strengths to help the family see the total picture, and allow them to adjust any ratings if they feel a detail was missed. When preparing to conduct a CANS assessment for
The Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment is designed to support decision-making, such as level of care and service planning. The 0-5 version is specifically modified to be developmentally appropriate for very young children. The 0-5 version is specifically modified to be
: It is a standardized tool used by Health Homes and other service providers to ensure a consistent, strength-based approach.
: Use empathetic listening (smiling, nodding, maintaining eye contact) to build rapport with the caregiver.
: The tool typically evaluates several domains, including Behavioral/Emotional Needs, Life Functioning, Risk Behaviors, and Caregiver Resources.