Identify needs that require action or closer attention
Child & Adolescent Services
A clearer picture of what a child needs—
and the strengths that can help.
A collaborative, strengths-based assessment for families and systems seeking clearer treatment planning, educational advocacy, care coordination, and agency transitions.
View Intake, Fees & State RoutingWhat Is the CANS?
Understanding the whole child,
not only the symptoms.
Children and adolescents rarely experience emotional, behavioral, educational, or family challenges in isolation. Difficulties at home may affect school participation. Developmental or behavioral needs may complicate treatment planning. Families may find themselves repeating the same history to multiple providers without receiving a coordinated understanding of what should happen next.
The Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) is an evidence-based, multi-system information-integration tool used nationally across behavioral health, child welfare, education, juvenile justice, and other child-serving systems. Rather than reducing a child to symptoms or a diagnostic label, the CANS organizes information about the child’s functioning, needs, risks, relationships, environment, and existing strengths.
Anthony Vario, MSW, LICSW, LCSW is a Certified CANS Assessor. The CANS is completed collaboratively using information obtained from the child or adolescent, caregivers, available records, and—with appropriate authorization—other involved providers or systems.
How a CANS Assessment May Help
Recognize strengths that can support treatment and recovery
Clarify functioning across home, school, and community environments
Support treatment and service planning
Improve communication among families, clinicians, schools, and agencies
Assist with care coordination, educational advocacy, and transitions
The CANS is an information-integration and service-planning tool. It does not, by itself, provide a diagnosis, determine educational eligibility, or constitute a forensic evaluation.
State-Specific Access
One clinical tool.
Distinct practice pathways.
Clinical affiliations, billing systems, and administrative requirements differ by state. Massachusetts services are conducted through Psych Wellness Group, Inc. Rhode Island and Arizona services are delivered through Anthony Vario, LLC and are separate from the Massachusetts Virtual Gateway.
Choose Your State & Payment Pathway