There are two versions of the CANS-NY tool; one for birth through age five and one for youth ages 6-21 years. Whichever version of the CANS-NY you are utilizing, the CHILD STRENGTHS DOMAIN is labeled as domain B. This is the ONLY section on the CANS-NY tool where you rate the items through the lens of Strength Action Levels, as will be discussed in this article.
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ACTION LEVELS FOR “STRENGTHS” ITEMS
0 – Centerpiece Strength – This rating indicates a domain where strengths exist that can be used as a centerpiece for a strength-based plan. In other words, the strength-based plan can be organized
around a specific strength in this area.
1 – Useful Strength – This rating indicates a domain where strengths exist and can be included in a
strength-based plan but not as a centerpiece of the plan.
2 – Identified Strength – This rating indicates a domain where strengths have been identified but that they require significant strength building efforts before they can be effectively utilized in a strength-based plan.
3 – No Strength Identified – This rating indicates a domain in which efforts are needed in order to
identify potential strengths for strength building efforts.
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A Note About Rating Strengths:
A rating of (3) in the strengths domain does not mean there is something dangerous or disabling or immediately needed for action. A (3) in this STRENGTH IDENTIFYING domain communicates that there is no evidence of a strength which this youth can automatically use for their own well-being. A (3) is not judgmental. Rating a (3) is nothing to feel badly about. This rating communicates important information to suggest STRENGTH BUILDING WORK is needed; that perhaps we work with the youth to BUILD UP a new STRENGTH as part of their Plan of Care.
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