WAFCA - CANS

Last Updated 9/7/2011

Wisconsin Child Welfare
Child & Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS)

Background
	In his 2009-11 Biennial Budget, the Governor initiated a number of changes to the state's child welfare system including a commitment to move to a single statewide *standardized child assessment tool* for all children entering out-of-home care. The Department of Children and Families, in consultation with stakeholders, selected the Child & Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment tool. Counties began using the CANS statewide for all children placed in foster homes in February 2011 and plans to implement use of the CANS for all children in out-of-home placements beginning January 2012.
What CANS is:
	The Child and Adolescent Needs & Strengths (CANS) Assessment is an information integration tool. Its purpose is to represent the shared vision for a child -- a vision that should include the perspectives of the child, the family and all service providers. CANS is intended to facilitate effective communication for this vision at all levels of the care system. CANS has been developed by John Lyons, Ph.D, Northwestern University, Chicago, and many stakeholders across multiple states. The Wisconsin Comprehensive CANS tool was designed to meet the needs of Wisconsin's child welfare system. There are two versions that will be used: 1) Birth to Five and 2) 5 to 17. NOTE: In order to use the CANS tool, you must be trained and certified. Click here for more information on training opportunities .
To Learn More about CANS in Wisconsin:
	In the Wisconsin child welfare system, CANS will be a significant part of: Determining the “level of care” required for a specific child and influencing the payments made to out of home care providers including foster parents. More clearly identifying what a child needs and determining whether or not caregivers are well-positioned to meet those needs. Measuring a child’s progress while in care and making redeterminations about the “level of care” required. CANS data will also likely contribute to: Outcome monitoring of programs and system wide Quality improvement efforts both within programs and throughout the system. Below are key documents pertaining to the Child Welfare-CANS in Wisconsin. These documents are current as of February 2011. Resources on DCF Website Uniform Foster Care Rate Setting Policy CANS Manual Birth - 5 CANS Manual Ages 5-17 CANS Glossary of Items Child/Youth Assessed Level of Need Birth - 5 Child/Youth Assessed Level of Need Ages 5-17 Supplemental Point Calculations Resources on WAFCA Website CANS Assessment Report Template - Birth to 5 CANS Assessment Report Template - 5 to 17 Mental Health Services Algorithm Placement Complexity Chart The Department of Children and Families has posted two web pages to follow the developments of child welfare system initiatives related to CANS. Levels of Care Webpage http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/children/foster/levels_of_care/default.htm DSP Memo Series 2011 – 03 (February 24, 2011), Re: Foster Care Rate Setting Policy http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/memos/num_memos/DSP/2011/2011-03.pdf Information Regarding the Wisconsin Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Tool http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/children/foster/levels_of_care/pdf/CANS_FAQ.pdf Wisconsin Administrative Rule DCF 56: Foster Home Care for Children http://legis.wisconsin.gov/rsb/code/dcf/dcf056.pdf Child Welfare Rate Setting Webpage http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/childrenresidential/rate_regulation.htm DSP Infomemo 2011-11: Published 2012 Maximum Rates and Submission of Proposed Rates (September 2, 2011) http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/memos/infomemos/DSP/2011/2011-11.pdf DSP Infomemo 2011-05: Emergency Rules 52, 54 and 57 http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/memos/infomemos/DSP/2011/2011-05.pdf Child Welfare Licensing Memo Series 2011-04 (March 1, 2011), RE: Provider Administrative Rate Release and Process for Submitting Rates http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/memos/cw_licensing/2011/2011-04.pdf The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is coordinating use of a mental health version of the CANS tool with children served through Coordinated Services Teams and Integrated Services Projects . DHS produced a series of CANS online videos that may assist agencies that want to further familiarize themselves with the CANS tool. DHS Mediasite catalog http://dhsmedia.wi.gov/main/Catalog/catalogs/default.aspx (Search for “CANS”) CANS Session 03: Key Principles John Lyons Ph.D describes the 5 key principles that a rater always uses when assessing children and families with the CANS tool. (16 Minutes 39 Seconds)
DCF FAQ - Wisconsin Child Welfare CANS Information Regarding the Wisconsin Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Tool http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/children/foster/levels_of_care/pdf/CANS_FAQ.pdf
Praed Foundation:
	PraedFoundation.org Founded in 1999, the Praed Foundation seeks to support transformational activities in human services, with a special emphasis on improving the lives of children and families. The Praed Foundation maintains the copyrights on the Child & Adolescent Needs and Strengths, the Family Advocacy and Support Tool, the Crisis Assessment Tool, and the Adult Needs and Strengths Assessment to ensure that they remain free for anyone to use who shares this commitment.