Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS)
A multi-purpose assessment tool designed to support decision-making, care planning, and outcome monitoring for children, youth, and their families.
Learn More About AssessmentWhat is CANS?
The Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) is an evidence-based, collaborative communication tool developed to evaluate the needs and strengths of children and adolescents across behavioral health, child welfare, juvenile justice, and educational settings.
Rather than merely diagnosing or scoring symptoms, CANS translates clinical assessments into actionable treatment plans. It bridges the gap between clinical evaluation and real-world care by identifying both areas of immediate risk and internal/external strengths that aid in recovery and resilience.
Core Principles of CANS Assessment
Action-Oriented Scoring
Translates complex clinical data into direct intervention levels (0 to 3 action ratings), avoiding arbitrary scores.
Strengths-Based Focus
Identifies personal, family, and community assets to build resilience and drive positive development.
Collaborative Planning
Engages children and caregivers as key partners to establish shared goals and transparent care paths.
Continuous Monitoring
Tracks longitudinal progress, adjusts interventions, and measures overall treatment efficacy over time.
How CANS Works
CANS evaluates individual functioning across multiple life domains using an "Action Levels" framework, ensuring clinicians and families speak a common language.
Each item is rated from 0 (no evidence/preventative need) to 3 (immediate, intensive intervention required). Strengths are evaluated similarly to uncover existing resources.
Results directly inform cross-system coordination, individualized treatment planning, and appropriate level-of-care placement.
Key Assessment Domains
Life Functioning: Assesses peer relations, school attendance, developmental milestones, and daily routines.
Behavioral & Emotional Needs: Identifies challenges like anxiety, trauma exposure, mood regulation, and conduct.
Caregiver Needs & Resources: Evaluates family capacity, support networks, and caregiver well-being to sustain recovery.
Where CANS Makes an Impact
Behavioral Health
Guides clinical therapy, crisis management, and outpatient or residential service planning.
Child Welfare
Helps determine safety plans, foster placements, and family reunification strategies.
School & Education
Assists multi-disciplinary teams in creating targeted academic and social support interventions.
Empowering Youth Through Structured, Compassionate Assessment
The CANS framework aligns families, clinicians, and community systems to achieve meaningful, long-term outcomes.
Youth & Adolescent Care Coordination
Specialized Behavioral Health & Family Support Services
Support & Inquiries: info@carecoordination.org
Contact a CANS Specialist