CANS Exam
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
