Risk Assessment Using CANS Assessment Tool:
Questions & Solutions
CANS Right Ans - child & adolescent needs and strengths assessment tool
responses lead to determining need for and level of intervention higher need
scores means services are needed to address those needs
CANS domains Right Ans - trauma experiences (lifetime exposure)
traumatic stress symptoms
child strengths
life domain functioning
acculturation
child behavioral/emotional needs
child risk behaviors
young children age birth-5
transition to adulthood
caregiver needs and strengths
0 on CANS score Right Ans - no evidence, need for action
1 on CANS score Right Ans - watchful waiting/prevention, suspicious or
emerging need, or historical need that might come back
2 on CANS score Right Ans - action (need is interfering in some way)
3 on CANS score Right Ans - immediate or intensive action; dangerous level
Scoring CANS items Right Ans - identifying strengths:
0- centerpiece strength/powerful strength/powerful strength on which to
build
1- useful strength for planning and opportunity for strength development
2- identified strength requiring further development for use in case planning
3- no known strength, a need for significant strength identification or creation
CANS risk assessment Right Ans - risk assessment tool
child protection worker completes initial CANS Risk assessment for all
indicated cases
New CANS must be completed every 6 months prior to preparing service plan
Questions & Solutions
CANS Right Ans - child & adolescent needs and strengths assessment tool
responses lead to determining need for and level of intervention higher need
scores means services are needed to address those needs
CANS domains Right Ans - trauma experiences (lifetime exposure)
traumatic stress symptoms
child strengths
life domain functioning
acculturation
child behavioral/emotional needs
child risk behaviors
young children age birth-5
transition to adulthood
caregiver needs and strengths
0 on CANS score Right Ans - no evidence, need for action
1 on CANS score Right Ans - watchful waiting/prevention, suspicious or
emerging need, or historical need that might come back
2 on CANS score Right Ans - action (need is interfering in some way)
3 on CANS score Right Ans - immediate or intensive action; dangerous level
Scoring CANS items Right Ans - identifying strengths:
0- centerpiece strength/powerful strength/powerful strength on which to
build
1- useful strength for planning and opportunity for strength development
2- identified strength requiring further development for use in case planning
3- no known strength, a need for significant strength identification or creation
CANS risk assessment Right Ans - risk assessment tool
child protection worker completes initial CANS Risk assessment for all
indicated cases
New CANS must be completed every 6 months prior to preparing service plan
