CANS Exam Questions and Correct Answers
Updated
Question 1
When the permanency goal is returning home, guardianship, independence, cannot
be provided for in home environment or status pending:
Correct Answer
Assess the parent every three months in coordination with the quarterly family
meeting
Assess the substitute caregiver every six months
Question 2
CANS - Caregiver Needs and Strengths Domain
Correct Answer
The CANS Caregiver items consider the parents' and the substitute caregivers'
ability to recognize, support and meet the needs of the involved children.
Strength focus
Family involvement
Early reunification
Page 1 of 162
,Question 3
Scoring
Correct Answer
Rating Scale 0-3
Action Levels for Needs
0 = no evidence, no need for action
1 = watchful waiting/prevention, suspicious or emerging need
2 = action (need is interfering in some way)
3 = immediate or intensive action; dangerous level
Action Levels for Strengths
0 = a centerpiece strength/powerful strength on which to build
1 = a useful strength for planning and an opportunity for strength development.
2 = an identified strength requiring further development for use in case planning
3 = no known strength, a need for significant strength identification/or creation
Question 4
8 illinois protective factors
Correct Answer
Safety
Knowledge of parenting and child dev.
Identification and use of concrete supports in times of need
Positive family, community and social connections
Ability to nurture social and emotional competence of children
Factors contributing to parent/caregiver resilience
Commitment to permanency plan goal (caregivers only)
Commitment to permanency plan goal (parents only)
Page 2 of 162
,Question 5
When the permanency goal is adoption, guardianship, or independence and the birth
parent is no longer interested in reunification or services:
Correct Answer
Assess the substitute caregiver every six months
Question 6
Why use CANS?
Correct Answer
Serves as a casework tool to record the summary of all client information that has
ben collected for purposes of identifying the specific safety, well-being and
permanency needs of the child and family
Easy
Comprehensive
Decisive
Question 7
CANS (Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths)
Correct Answer
A tool that is divided into two modules, consisting of 10 domains, compared of 139
assessment items.
The two modules assess child functioning, and parents and/or caregiver ability to
meet the child's needs.
Provides a comprehensive list of services needed for the purpose of the assessment,
service referral, client service planning, case management, court determinations,
and case review of progress
Page 3 of 162
, Question 8
What are the 10 domains of CANS
Correct Answer
1. Trauma experiences
2. Parent/caregiver Needs and Strengths
3. Transition to adulthood
4. Ratings of children 0-5
5. Child risk behaviors
6. Child behavioral/emotional needs
7. Traumatic stress syndrome
8. Child strengths
9. Life domain functioning
10. Acculturation
Question 1
Environmental Influences: Carla's older brother engages in criminal behavior;
sometimes he is home, but not often.
Correct Answer
1
Question 2
Community Involvement: This past year, Jill became involved in community center
activities including joining a soccer team.
Correct Answer
1
Question 3
Response to Accusation: Heather admits that she set the fire but says she does not
feel any remorse.
Correct Answer
2
Page 4 of 162
Updated
Question 1
When the permanency goal is returning home, guardianship, independence, cannot
be provided for in home environment or status pending:
Correct Answer
Assess the parent every three months in coordination with the quarterly family
meeting
Assess the substitute caregiver every six months
Question 2
CANS - Caregiver Needs and Strengths Domain
Correct Answer
The CANS Caregiver items consider the parents' and the substitute caregivers'
ability to recognize, support and meet the needs of the involved children.
Strength focus
Family involvement
Early reunification
Page 1 of 162
,Question 3
Scoring
Correct Answer
Rating Scale 0-3
Action Levels for Needs
0 = no evidence, no need for action
1 = watchful waiting/prevention, suspicious or emerging need
2 = action (need is interfering in some way)
3 = immediate or intensive action; dangerous level
Action Levels for Strengths
0 = a centerpiece strength/powerful strength on which to build
1 = a useful strength for planning and an opportunity for strength development.
2 = an identified strength requiring further development for use in case planning
3 = no known strength, a need for significant strength identification/or creation
Question 4
8 illinois protective factors
Correct Answer
Safety
Knowledge of parenting and child dev.
Identification and use of concrete supports in times of need
Positive family, community and social connections
Ability to nurture social and emotional competence of children
Factors contributing to parent/caregiver resilience
Commitment to permanency plan goal (caregivers only)
Commitment to permanency plan goal (parents only)
Page 2 of 162
,Question 5
When the permanency goal is adoption, guardianship, or independence and the birth
parent is no longer interested in reunification or services:
Correct Answer
Assess the substitute caregiver every six months
Question 6
Why use CANS?
Correct Answer
Serves as a casework tool to record the summary of all client information that has
ben collected for purposes of identifying the specific safety, well-being and
permanency needs of the child and family
Easy
Comprehensive
Decisive
Question 7
CANS (Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths)
Correct Answer
A tool that is divided into two modules, consisting of 10 domains, compared of 139
assessment items.
The two modules assess child functioning, and parents and/or caregiver ability to
meet the child's needs.
Provides a comprehensive list of services needed for the purpose of the assessment,
service referral, client service planning, case management, court determinations,
and case review of progress
Page 3 of 162
, Question 8
What are the 10 domains of CANS
Correct Answer
1. Trauma experiences
2. Parent/caregiver Needs and Strengths
3. Transition to adulthood
4. Ratings of children 0-5
5. Child risk behaviors
6. Child behavioral/emotional needs
7. Traumatic stress syndrome
8. Child strengths
9. Life domain functioning
10. Acculturation
Question 1
Environmental Influences: Carla's older brother engages in criminal behavior;
sometimes he is home, but not often.
Correct Answer
1
Question 2
Community Involvement: This past year, Jill became involved in community center
activities including joining a soccer team.
Correct Answer
1
Question 3
Response to Accusation: Heather admits that she set the fire but says she does not
feel any remorse.
Correct Answer
2
Page 4 of 162
