: The caregiver's viewpoint is critical; their input should be gathered first before coalescing other points of view.
When preparing to conduct a CANS assessment for a young child, practitioners are encouraged to follow these guidelines:
: It is a standardized tool used by Health Homes and other service providers to ensure a consistent, strength-based approach. 0 (5).mp4
: To use the tool officially, you must demonstrate reliability (typically a score of 0.70 or greater) on a case study through the TCOM Training website . Accessing the Full Guide
You can find official documentation and the most current reference guides on the New York State Department of Health website or the OCFS Reference Guide (PDF) . : The caregiver's viewpoint is critical; their input
: Ratings are translated into "action levels" to identify where immediate intervention is needed or where a child has significant strengths. Preparation Tips for Practitioners
: Use empathetic listening (smiling, nodding, maintaining eye contact) to build rapport with the caregiver. Accessing the Full Guide You can find official
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.