The Role of the CANS (Child Adolescent Needs and Strengths) within the CFT (Child and Family Team) Planning Process

Child and Family Teams (CFTs) are an essential part of service delivery. CFTs are the integrated groups that come together using a trauma-informed lens to plan across the life of children and families while they are in care. Engagement and sharing of information with the CFT across life domains must happen to gather a comprehensive picture for planning. The Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths tool (CANS), is required to complete this information sharing. This course will discuss strategies to integrate the CANS tool into the CFT processes and CFT meetings. In addition to lecture and activates during the training, consultation time will be provided to discuss existing CFT and CANS processes. Participants will be allowed time to review, discuss and consult with each other on CFT and CANS implementation designs to include discussion of any barriers for successful implementation.

Topics include:

• An overview of the function of the CANs as a communication tool that prioritizes needs and strengths as part of the planning process
• An overview of the CFT process and the function of the CFT to inform case planning including the team tasks, a trauma-focused lens for engagement, and case planning.
• Integration of the CANS within the Child and Family Team planning process.

Through this training, participants will be able to discuss and design potential procedures, roles and implementation of the CANS within the CFT process.