Alameda BHCS has created user manuals and scoresheets for the Alameda County CANS (birth-24). The manuals describe principles to guide the assessment process, the basic design for rating strengths and needs, an explanation of how the tools are used, and a breakdown of rating scale by domain.
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CA IP-CANS

The CA Department of Social Services (CDSS) adopted the CA Integrated Practice (IP) CANS as the functional assessment tool to be completed collaboratively through the Child & Family Team (CFT) processes to guide case planning. Beginning July 1, 2025, all placing agencies* are required to ensure the collaborative completion of the IP-CANS for all children, youth, and nonminor dependents. The IP-CANS includes the CA core 50 items, a module on Potentially Traumatic/Adverse Childhood Experiences (yes/no), and a module for Early Childhood (birth-five). The Alameda CANS (birth-24) includes the CA IP-CANS items (plus a few more). 
 
For ACBHD providers and partners, there is no change. Please continue to use the Alameda CANS (birth-24) version.
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​*Placing agency: According to Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 16560 (b)(4), placing agency means a county child welfare agency, a county probation department, or an Indian tribe that has entered into an agreement pursuant to WIC Section 10553.1.

CANS Alignment Across Systems

Children and Youth Initiatives: Alignment of the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Tool:
  • CA Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and CA Department of Social Services (CDSS) are partnering to align their CANS processes to ensure that county child welfare agencies, county juvenile probation agencies, county behavioral health delivery systems and behavioral health providers administer the same CANS tool. 
  • By aligning the CANS tool, CANS results will be more easily shared and comparable across systems, leading to more coordinated care and avoiding redundancy.
  • Alignment of the CANS tool will take place across two phases of policy changes: initial policy changes specific to administrative alignment, followed by programmatic alignment related to the use of the CANS tool, including automation of CANS and training/certification requirements. 

Other CANS Resources