0 (5).mp4 〈PREMIUM | 2027〉

When preparing to conduct a CANS assessment for a young child, practitioners are encouraged to follow these guidelines:

You can find official documentation and the most current reference guides on the New York State Department of Health website or the OCFS Reference Guide (PDF) .

: The caregiver's viewpoint is critical; their input should be gathered first before coalescing other points of view. 0 (5).mp4

: Use empathetic listening (smiling, nodding, maintaining eye contact) to build rapport with the caregiver.

: It is a standardized tool used by Health Homes and other service providers to ensure a consistent, strength-based approach. When preparing to conduct a CANS assessment for

: At the end of the session, summarize both needs and strengths to help the family see the total picture, and allow them to adjust any ratings if they feel a detail was missed.

: The tool typically evaluates several domains, including Behavioral/Emotional Needs, Life Functioning, Risk Behaviors, and Caregiver Resources. : It is a standardized tool used by

The Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment is designed to support decision-making, such as level of care and service planning. The 0-5 version is specifically modified to be developmentally appropriate for very young children.