CANS ASSESSOR

Primary Function/Responsibilty

Administers a child-centered evaluative process designed to provide the SJRC/Belong case care team with best-fit placement and service recommendations for the youth in its care. Implements a decision-making process including the administration of the Texas Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths survey (CANS Version 3.0), the team’s subject matter expertise, and other evaluative methods. Works with Belong and DFPS staff to refine assessment methods and policies and collaborates extensively and effectively with the case care team.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Manages the administration of the Texas CANS 3.0 to a designated Belong caseload.

• Utilizes a person-centered approach in all processes, including the interviews (i.e. conversational style that is individualized, trauma-aware, developmentally informed, empathetic and empowering.)
• Integrates information into the CANS assessment from multiple sources including available records and through interviews with children and with family/caregivers and other available sources of collateral information including proprietary measurements.
• Schedules, coordinates and conducts the CANS assessment interviews in the child’s home, community or via telehealth.
• Whenever possible, conducts the assessment at a location and time which is convenient for the child and family.
• Arranges formal interpreter services as needed.
• Ensures that youth are receiving CANS assessments on a determined frequency and within expected timeframes.
• Completes CANS annual certification requirements through the Praed Foundation.
  
  

Participates in the planning, development, implementation, analysis, and documentation of the determination of appropriate Service Packages for youth.

• Documents all case activity as per program requirements.
• Enters all assessment information into the eCANS web-based application.
• Collaborates with the case care team to reach final decisions regarding youth needs.
• Works to reconcile differences of opinion with agency staff related to the results and recommendations from the CANS assessment.
• Documents resulting recommendations in the DFPS IMPACT system.
  
  

Required

As required, participates in the preparation of reports and the completion of CANS related research projects. This may entail one or more of the following:

• Reviewing research, evaluations and literature on the use of and administration of the CANS assessment.
• Providing input and recommendations on current policies and processes to the Texas Child-Centered Care implementation team to ensure a smooth transition to the Texas Child-Centered Care System.
• Communicating 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.
• Training agency staff on the service package assessment process.
  
  

Reports operational problems and proposes procedural or policy changes.

• Provides input and recommendations on procedural and policy changes as related to the Texas Child-Centered Care System.
• Participates in feedback sessions, as requested, to justify recommended procedural and policy changes.
  
  

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Education, or Human Services.
• Two years full-time employment in a service-related profession working with children, adolescents, or young adults.
• A graduate degree in any of the above-listed areas of study may be substituted for one year of work experience.
  
  

Preferred

• Experience administering and/or utilizing the results of any version of the CANS.
• Familiarity with psychological and/or educational evaluations.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English).
• Knowledge of child welfare programs in the state of Texas including Community-Based Care.
  
  

Certifications/Licenses/Registrations

• 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.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Awareness of the needs of youth with histories of a range of adverse experiences including neglect, abuse, and relational impermanence.
• Strong verbal and written communication and interviewing skills.
• Skill at establishing and maintaining productive working relationships both internally and externally and in the use of a computer and applicable software.
• Ability to apply a critical and analytical approach to problem solving and the ability to prioritize and manage time and priorities without direct supervision.
• Ability to plan, implement and meet deadlines and to work outside of normal business hours as may be required.
• Ability to work with individuals and groups from diverse populations.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems.
  
  

Physical/Mental Requirements And Information

• Body mobility to stoop, kneel, bend, reach, and walk and walk briskly to interact with and monitor children.
• Stamina to work long days and drive long distances.
• Moderate to heavy lifting to up to 60 pounds.
• Must have the ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Must have the ability to give and receive verbal and written instructions (with or without hearing aids).
• Must have the ability to read fine print, have sustained vision, and peripheral vision (with or without glasses).
• Environment requires flexibility to remain calm and adapt to fast paced and emotional environments consisting of children with moderate to severe emotional and psychological needs.
• Home-like settings with varying moderate to high degrees of background noise.
• Light and ventilation are found in a typical home setting.
• Campuses are smoke-free, except on permitted campuses in designated areas.
• Possible injury when lifting or moving (child or objects) if employee fails to use proper body mechanics, or if proper techniques are not used when the use of SAMA containment techniques are required.
  
  

Description Of Organizational Relationship/Reporting Relationships

Supervised by: Director of Support Services

Supervises: N/A