CANS Basics
Scoring System
Domains & Items
Strengths
Using CANS in practice
100

What does CANS stand for?

What is Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths?

100

What is the highest need score on a CANS item?

What is 3 (immediate/intensive action needed)?

100

Name one domain in the CANS tool

What is Behavioral/Emotional Needs (or Risk Behaviors, Strengths, etc.)?

100

What is the goal when addressing strengths in the plan?

What is to build and use strengths to support needs?

100

How can the CANS be used in family team meetings?

What is to guide discussion and prioritize needs?

200

What is the primary purpose of the CANS tool?

What is to inform care planning and decision making?

200

What score means “watchful waiting” or prevention?

What is 1?

200

What domain includes items like Anxiety, Depression, and Adjustment to Trauma?

What is Behavioral/Emotional Needs?

200

Give an example of a “centerpiece” strength.

What is strong family support, artistic talent, or motivation?

200

What is a functional strength?

What is a strength the youth or family uses to meet needs or succeed in daily life?

300

Who typically completes the CANS assessment?

Who is a trained and certified practitioner?

300

What score means no action needed?

What is 0?

300

Which domain covers school, peer, and family functioning?

What is Life Functioning?

300

How are strengths connected to safety planning?

What is they can be protective factors or supports?

300

How should CANS language be used when sharing results with families?

What is in plain, respectful, and collaborative terms?

400

Is CANS a diagnostic tool?

What is no—it is a communication and planning tool?

400

How are strengths scored differently from needs?

What is they are scored on a scale from 0 (centerpiece strength) to 3 (no strength identified)?

400

What is an example of a Risk Behavior item?

What is Self-Harm, Aggression, or Runaway?

400

What does it mean if a youth has mostly 3s in the Strengths domain?

What is no strengths identified; needs significant support?

400

What is the benefit of reassessing CANS regularly?

What is to track progress and adjust the plan?

500

How often should CANS be updated?

What is at key transition points or every 90 days?

500

What does a “2” on a strength item indicate?

What is strength identified but needs development?

500

How are items selected for inclusion in the care plan?

What is based on scores of 2 or 3 for needs and 0 or 1 for strengths?

500

True or False: A strength that needs development should not be included in planning.

What is False?

500

Why is youth and family voice critical in CANS scoring?

What is to ensure accuracy and relevance of the assessment?