The Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment Tool

Pursuant to the Continuum of Care Reform (CCR), county child welfare agencies are implementing the California Integrated Practice Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment tool.According to its developer, John Lyons, the CANS is a multi-purpose tool that supports decision-making, including level of care and service planning, which allows for the monitoring and outcome of services.When used as part of the CFT process, as California is doing, the CANS Assessment can help guide conversations among CFT members about the well-being of children and youth, identify their strengths and needs, inform and support care coordination, aid in case planning activities, and inform decisions about placement.

CANS Resources

• The CANS 2018 Reference Guide (pdf)
• The CANS Rating Sheet- English | Spanish (pdf)
• CANS Curriculum
• Alameda TCOM Website
• CANS Flier (pdf)

CANS Videos andWebinars

• CANS for Administrators(1:50:09)
• CANS Technical Assistance Webinar 9-5-2018 (1:47:52)
• Dr. Lyonson CANS(3:11)
• CANS within the CFT Process(2:33)
• How and When is the CANS Completed?(1:58)
• How is the CANS Presented in a CFT?(3:27)
• How is the CANS Updated?(1:00)
• What is the Supervisors Role in the CANS?(1:21)
• A Quality CANS Assessment, TCOM Style

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Praed Foundation
The Praed Foundation is a public charitable foundation committed to improving the well-being of all through the use of personalized, timely and effective interventions.