CANS-F ‘Assess and Plan for Change’
Part I - Introduction to Face Sheet
0. Download Interface File
The “CANS-F Assess and Plan for Change” interface file often updates to reflect new features or address small bug fixes. To make sure that you are always working with the best and most recent version of the file, we recommend regularly downloading version of the file from the link below.
1. Open File
For each new client, open the application by clicking the on the “CANS-F Assess and Plan for Change” file on your desktop (or wherever you have saved it).
Note: To open the video tutorial, click on the thumbnail image below.
*On some computers the "Enable Content" button will appear at the top of the screen after opening the file. This is a security feature for files that include macros. There are absolutely no security risks associated with using this application. Click "Enable Content" to continue.
2. Enter Info into Face Sheet
After opening the file, several worksheets are available at the bottom of the screen. Start by entering information into the “Face Sheet”. Using the text fields, you can enter critical information including: the Famlink Case ID, CA Social Worker, Phone Number, Address, Agency, and Service Provider.
3. Face sheet – Dropdowns
The Face Sheet has a series of drop downs and open text fields. Using the drop downs, you can select your Service Type,Agency and Office.
4. Face Sheet – Enter Assessment Dates
Enter the date (MM/DD/YY) for up to three assessments in the DATE OF INITIAL/SECOND/THIRD ASSESSMENT fields.
If you do not have a corresponding assessment to enter, simply leave those fields blank.
After you have filled in dates, to check how many assessments you have opened up, you may click on the "Assess" button towards the bottom of the page to see all the assessments available in this form. Note that the number of assessments responds directly to the number of dates entered on the Face Sheet. Navigate back to Face Sheet by clicking the "Face Sheet" button at the top of the page.
5. Face Sheet – # of Caregivers and Children
Enter the number of caregivers and youth included in your assessment into the fields provided.
Click the "Assess" button towards the bottom of the page. You will notice that the number of Caregiver/Child domains responds directly to the number of caregivers and children entered on the Face Sheet. You should see a domain for each youth and caregiver in addition to the two family domains (Family Functioning and Caregiver Advocacy) that were already there.
6. Save File
Save your completed assessment by clicking the "Save File" button on the Face Sheet. Identify the folder and name the file.
Part II - Completing CANS Assessment Sheet
1. Rate and Describe Items
Note: To open the video tutorial, click on the thumbnail image below.
You are now ready to enter the assessment information. For each assessment you need to:
- identify the rating for each item,
- offer a brief description where needed, and
- identify strengths you will use in your plan and strengths that you plan to build with the youth and family.
Ratings can be entered using the drop down box or by typing into the field.
Not all strengths are available for rating. (Ex. “Family Conflict”, a family that manages conflict well might have a strength in “Family Communication” or “Parental/Caregiver Collaboration”, not “Family Conflict”). Only identify the strengths you plan to use or build by selecting “yes” from the drop down, the others strength fields can remain blank.
The comment field will turn red for actionable items rated either a 2 or a 3, indicating that a brief description should be entered.
To change your view of the Assessments, use the "Zoom in" and "Zoom in" at the top of the screen.
To show/hide comments click the "Show/Hide Comments" button at the top left of the screen.
2. Enter Caregiver and Child Names
- For caregiver worksheets, enter the caregiver’s name before entering the caregiver ratings.
- For youth work sheets, enter the youth’s name before entering the youth ratings.
Part III - Charts and Plan For Change
1. View Reports
To view family-level progress reports, click the "Reports" button on the Face Sheet.
Note: To open the video tutorial, click on the thumbnail image below.
There are three different pages with reports for:
- Family Reports: Family Functioning and Caregiver Advocacy domains
- Caregiver Reports: Caregiver Functioning domains
- Child Reports: Child Functioning domains
All reports automatically update as assessment data is entered.
2. Print Summary and Reports
After navigating to the Face Page:
- click the
"Print Summary"button to print your summary sheet - click the
"Print Reports"button to print your reports
The report will automatically print to your default printer. (You will need to be connected to a printer for this feature to work.)
3. Open File to Plan for Change
Open the saved assessment file and click the "Plan for Change" button on the Face Sheet.
4. Notice Identified Needs Column
You will notice that the right side of the screen has three columns with lists of items organized into:
- “Identified Needs”,
- “Identified Useful Strengths”, and
- “Identified Strengths to Build”.
These are the items you will use to build you plan.
5. Drafting Intervention Goals
Describe your first Intervention Goal in the open text field. You can select up to six CANS-F items as treatment targets, background items, and anticipated outcomes related to your Intervention Goal.
6. Add Intervention Goals
To open up the number of Intervention Goals you need, click the Check Box to open additional text fields. Repeat as needed.
(The application allows up to 9 Intervention goals.)
7. Fill Out Action Steps
Describe:
- the Action Steps,
- the person responsible for completing the action step (Responsibility), and
- the Target Date.
(You can complete up to 6 for each goal).
Part IV - Additional Targets
1. Go to “Additional Treatment Targets”
When you have finished entering information into the “Plan for Change” worksheet, switch to the “Additional Treatment Targets” worksheet tab. See the tabs at the bottom of your screen to find this. If there are CANS-F items that have not been included in the plan, use the text fields to describe how the needs/strengths might be addressed at a later date or through another planning process.
Note: To open the video tutorial, click on the thumbnail image below.
2. Save File
When your plan is complete, return to the “Face Sheet”. Save your file using the Save File button.
3. Print Treatment Plan
To print your plan click the Print Plan button.
The report will automatically print to your default printer. (You will need to be connected to a printer for this feature to work.)
Part V - Data Export and Upload
1. Open and Save .CSV
When you have fully finished the CANS-F for a completed case, usually by finishing the Entry, Transition, and Final CANS-F, you are ready to upload your data. Open the saved assessment file and click the Export Data button on the Face Sheet. A new Excel workbook will open. You will be asked to select a folder. Select a folder where you would like the export file to be saved. A file name will be auto generated. The file will be saved and you will be returned to the Face Sheet.
Note: To open the video tutorial, click on the thumbnail image below.
2. Upload .CSV Data Export to TCOM Upload Form
Next you need to upload your CANS-F data file, using the secure TCOM Upload Form link. The TCOM Upload form link is emailed to registered participants each week. To upload*, click the link to the form and follow the instructions on the form to submit each of your saved .CSV files. You will be asked to provide your own name and email so you can be reached in case the data upload fails and to provide confirmation of a successful submission. Upload each file to its own Upload File field.
*Note that some providers have only one designated uploader for all the CANS-F from their team - otherwise participants upload CANS-F for any case that they completed.
3. Submit the TCOM Upload Form
Once you complete the form by uploading your files, click the SUBMIT button at the end of the page. You will receive an email confirming your submission was successful. Please note that this email only confirms that you submitted a form - your CANS-F will only be counted in the official tally of assessments for your agency if your data was complete and valid.
*Frequent data flaws include: incorrect file format (Word, PDF), corrupted files, blank files, missing assessment dates, missing FAMLINK CASE ID.
Congratulations!!! You have completed the CANS-F Interface tutorial.