0 (5).mp4 Apr 2026

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) .

When preparing to conduct a CANS assessment for a young child, practitioners are encouraged to follow these guidelines: 0 (5).mp4

: The caregiver's viewpoint is critical; their input should be gathered first before coalescing other points of view. You can find official documentation and the most

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. The 0-5 version is specifically modified to be

: It is a standardized tool used by Health Homes and other service providers to ensure a consistent, strength-based approach.

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