Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessor (Dallas)

Position Summary 

This position is responsible for the management of the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessment (CANS). Primary responsibilities include scheduling, coordinating, and conducting the CANS interviews and assessments for each child in care. They will also be responsible for documenting and communicating the CANS assessment results to the child’s permanency and placement teams. 

Responsibilities 

1. Support/Service Delivery 
   
   
   
   1. Schedules, coordinates, and conducts the CANS assessment interviews in the child’s home, community or via telehealth.
   
   
   2. Interviews all required participants including the child (when verbal), the child’s permanency worker and caregiver (as applicable) and any other optional parties as deemed appropriate for the situation and need. 
   
   
   3. Conducts the assessment at a location and time which is most convenient for the child and family and may be outside of regular business hours.  
   
   
   4. Arranges formal interpreter services as needed. 
   
   
   5. Interprets State and Federal regulations, Child Care Licensing Standards and program policy. 
   
   
   6. Coordinates internally and externally to implement findings and recommendations from the evaluation. 
   
   
   7. Monitors CANS reports to ensure children, youth and young adults are receiving CANS assessments on a determined frequency and within expected timeframes.  
   
   
   8. Serves as liaison to staff and creates job aids and other educational materials to ensure staff’s understanding of the CANS and placement process. 
   
   
   
   


2. Quality Improvement 
   
   
   
   1. Reviews research, evaluations, and literature on the use of and administration of the CANS assessment.  
   
   
   2. Recommends resources to improve outcomes. 
   
   
   3. Monitors, reviews, and evaluates personal monthly job productivity to meet or exceed expectations. 
   
   
   4. Works with the Continuous Quality Assessment and Improvement contractors to provide input on the use and efficacy on the use of the CANS assessment.
   
   
   
   


3. Communication 
   
   
   
   1. Provides guidance, technical assistance, and recommendations to agency staff and the community on the CANS assessment, placement policy and procedures. \
   
   
   2. Works with 3rd party contractors to provide input on the use and efficacy on the use of the CANS assessment as part of the Texas Child-Centered Care System.  
   
   
   3. Communicates CANS results to the child’s placement team. 
   
   
   4. Provides guidance and technical assistance to staff on the goals, use of and outcomes of the CANS assessment. 
   
   
   5. Works to resolve any disputes with agency staff related to the results and recommendations from the CANS assessment.
   
   
   6. Provides guidance and performs complex consultative services and assessment work, specifically related to administering the CANS Assessment. 
   
   
   7. Establishes effective working relationships with co-workers. 
   
   
   8. Utilizes a person-centered approach in all processes, including the interviews (i.e. conversational style that is individualized, empathetic and empowering.)
   
   
   
   


4. Supervision
   
   
   
   1. Receives supervision.
      
      
      
      1. Receive supervision from and actively communicate with supervisor on an ongoing basis throughout the week by phone, email, written message and when possible, in person regarding program matters. 
      
      
      
      
   
   
   
   


5. Leadership 
   
   
   
   1. Serves as the Subject Matter Expert for the CANS assessment and Texas Child-Centered Care System to ensure compliance with State and Federal regulations and Child Care Licensing Standards. 
   
   
   2. Performs related work as assigned. 
   
   
   
   


6. Community Engagement 
   
   
   
   1. Prepares and conducts presentations to agency staff and the community, as requested, related to the CANS assessment and placement process. 
   
   
   2. Works with 3rd party contract providers to review and provide input to on-going Texas Child-Centered Care System Continuous Quality and Assurance Improvement evaluation. 
   
   
   
   


7. Documentation 
   
   
   
   1. Enters all assessment information into the eCANS web-based application.  
   
   
   2. Documents all case activity as per program requirements.  
   
   
   3. Documents resulting recommendations in the DFPS IMPACT system. 
   
   
   4. Integrates information into the CANS assessment from multiple sources by conducting interviews with children and with family/caregivers and incorporating information as appropriate from the referral source, treatment providers, school, rater observations and record reviews.  
   
   
   
   


8. Risk Management and Safety 
   
   
   
   1. Researches deficiencies and makes recommendations for corrective actions as needed.  
   
   
   2. Maintains appropriate boundaries between professional and personal issues. 
   
   
   
   

Qualifications 

1. Education/Certifications/Licensure: 
   
   
   
   1. Bachelor’s degree in social work or related degree from an accredited college or university. 
   
   
   2. Successful completion of the Texas CANS Child Welfare certification within 90 days of hire date, included as part of the position’s training and required annually thereafter. 
   
   
   3. Completes CANS annual certification requirements through the Praed Foundation.  
   
   
   4. Valid state driver’s license and safe driving record. 
   
   
   5. Reliable transportation and current auto insurance.
   
   
   
   


2. Experience:  
   
   
   
   1. Requires two (2) years full-time consultative, social service, professional or technical work. 
   
   
   2. Experience in CPS Program, CANS and understanding of person-centered care preferred.  
   
   
   
   


3. Clearances:  
   
   
   
   1. DPS   
   
   
   2. DFPS  
   
   
   3. FBI  
   
   
   4. CBCU Eligibility Determination  
   
   
   5. Child Abuse Clearances  
   
   
   
   

Working Conditions 

1. Physical Demands:  
   
   
   
   1. This position requires operating a keypad device 75% of the day and electronic/office equipment 25% of the day. Frequent travel throughout the assigned counties may be required daily along with travel by plane and may include travel in weather conditions – 50%. Fingers, thumbs, hands, wrists, elbows, legs and feet are all routinely used throughout the day. The lower and upper torso is used 75% of the day. Employee must meet minimum requirements for hearing, speech, and vision. Walking is required 75% of the day. Standing occurs 75% of the day. Sitting happens 25% of the day. Reaching above the shoulder as well as bending and twisting are performed 25% of the day. This function routinely lifts under 25 pounds. The maximum lift is 50 pounds, 1 time per day. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  
   
   
   
   


2. Mental Demands: 
   
   
   
   1. Frequently performs multiple tasks, make quick decisions.  
   
   
   2. Occasionally handles distractions that interfere and a diversity of problems.  
   
   
   3. Continually need to concentrate. 
   
   
   
   


3. Environmental Factors:  
   
   
   
   1. Environmental demands require this position in client homes, schools, and the community. Reliable transportation is required.  
   
   
   
   


4. Working Hours:  
   
   
   
   1. Flexibility to meet department and client needs.