CANS Fact Sheet #9 Implementation Update and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Update: As of April 13, 2009 a total of 2,645 individuals were certified on the use of the CANS in Virginia! A suggestion for those of you who are not yet certified: Please do not wait until the “last minute” to become certified in the use of the CANS. July 1 is fast approaching! As of that date, CANS will be the only CSA assessment instrument. Give yourself time to learn the CANS; you will want to have a good understanding of the CANS, what the items and ratings mean, the underlying values and principles, and how to use the CANS for service planning prior to having to actually complete a CANS for a child and family. Virginia now has 202 CANS Super Users who have been trained and certified by Dr. John Lyons, the creator of the CANS. If you have questions about CANS or your local implementation, contact your local Super User on the Rosters listing of the CSA website at http://www.csa.virginia.gov/rosters_reporting/cans3a.cfm Please note that changes have been made to all of the User Manuals on the CSA Website. The significant changes are in the “Planned Permanency Caregiver Section”. Previously, there were asterisks on several items which were placed incorrectly. Those asterisks have been deleted. The only item which should have an asterisk in this section is the Safety Item. Please print a copy of the updated manual for your use.
CANS Fact Sheet #9 April 20, 2009
FAQs 1. Question: Do I need to complete a CANS for an 18 year old who is receiving CSA services? The CANS form states it is for use with children and youth ages 5-17. Answer: Yes. Although the CANS is designed for use with children and youth ages 517, Dr. Lyons advises that it may be used with youth who are 18-21 if they are still receiving services. The Code of Virginia requires that a uniform assessment instrument be used with all children and youth who are receiving services through the Comprehensive Services Act. 2. Question: How do I use the CANS with the Levels of Need chart? Answer: UM/UR staff in the Office of Comprehensive Services have drafted a new “Model Utilization Plan”. The new Plan coordinates the recommended level of frequency of administration of the CANS with the recommended level of FAPT review. 3. Question: Do I have to complete a CANS for all the children on my caseload as of July 1, 2009? Answer: No. After July 1, you will complete a CANS Comprehensive for “new” children on your caseload. As your “old” children are due for reassessment, instead of doing a CAFAS®, you will complete a CANS Comprehensive. Do not use the CANS Reassessment as the first CANS for any child. 4. Question: What is the difference between a CANS Comprehensive 5-17 and a CANS Reassessment 5-17? Answer: When completing a CANS Comprehensive, you will need to use the Modules which are triggered by the rating on particular items. (More info in answer #7 ) You will also complete the two Placement Modules if relevant.
CANS Fact Sheet #9 April 20, 2009
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When doing a CANS Reassessment, you will not complete the Modules which are triggered by the ratings on certain items. You will complete the two Placement Modules if relevant. The remaining difference is at the top of each score sheet, where you check what type of assessment (initial, annual, change of placement, etc.) you are using. 5. Question: When do I use the Comprehensive version vs. the Reassessment? Answer: You will use the Comprehensive version for the initial, annual and discharge assessment. The Reassessment is used at the determined reassessment intervals (3 months for TFC, etc.) and for significant changes in placement. 6. Question: How do I use the Modules? Answer: Again, the modules are only completed with the Comprehensive version of the CANS, not with the Reassessment. The use of a module is triggered by the scoring of “1”, “2” or “3” on certain items as noted above. On the score sheet, you will note a number following an item for which there is a module. For example, the Developmental item under Life Domain Functioning has a “1” following the item on the score sheet. This number corresponds to the key at the bottom of the score sheet, and instructs the user to the appropriate module for completion. Most of the items that trigger modules are in the Child Risk Behaviors section. However, there are two placement modules. The Residential Treatment Module should be completed if the child is a group home or other residential treatment setting. The “Temporary Caregiver” module should be completed if the child is in a foster home and the foster parent is not the permanent foster parent or planned adoptive parent. The modules permit a more in-depth assessment of specific areas of concern for the individual child or youth. Please be sure to note the timeframes in the anchors for each item as they may vary from the usual 30 day window.
CANS Fact Sheet #9 April 20, 2009
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