Texas Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Comprehensive 2.0

The Texas Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Comprehensive 2.0 (child welfare) assessment is a multi-purpose tool developed for youth under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). The CANS 2.0 uses four scoring levels to suggest different pathways for service planning. It was developed with the primary objectives of permanency planning, safety and improved quality of life for youth in foster care.

The assessment is designed to use as either a prospective assessment tool for decision support and recovery planning, or as a retrospective quality improvement tool demonstrating an individual youth’s progress. It can also be used as a communication tool that provides a uniform language for all youth-serving entities to discuss a youth’s needs and strengths.