What is the CANS Assessment?
All children who enter foster care in the state of Texas are required to have a Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment done annually.
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This comprehensive and standardized tool helps a child's care team identify the unique needs and strengths of each child, thus informing a customized service plan.
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The CANS assessment encompasses a wide range of life domains including behavioral health, risk behaviors, and life functioning. It also looks at the strengths and needs of caregivers and the family as a whole, acknowledging the importance of a supportive and stable environment in the child's development and wellbeing.
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For children in the custody of the Department of Family and Protective Services a CANS Assessment fulfills screening requirements, clarifies treatment needs, and provides valuable insights that guide care coordination and planning.
Some issues and topics that may be discussed during a CANS Assessment
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Basic demographic information: The child or adolescent's date of birth, gender, ethnicity, and current living arrangement.
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Current behavior: The caregiver's observations of the child's current behavior, including any problem behaviors, their frequency, and severity.
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School performance: Details about the child's school performance, including any academic difficulties, special education services, and relationships with peers and teachers.
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Legal issues: Any history of the child's involvement with law enforcement or legal issues.
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Medical history: The child's physical health conditions, medication use, and any developmental concerns.
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Mental health history: Previous diagnoses, treatments, and mental health service providers involved in the child's care.
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Substance use: Any history of substance use by the child, if applicable.
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Relationships: Information about the child's relationships with family members and peers.
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Strengths and positive qualities: An understanding of the child's strengths and positive attributes.
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Traumatic experiences: Details about any traumatic experiences the child has had and how these experiences have affected them.
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Family's living situation: The living situation of the family, including who lives in the household and the nature of those relationships.
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Family resources and supports: The family's resources and supports, including extended family, friends, community services, religious or cultural groups.