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Effective: 8/15/2025

C5.12 Standardized Screening and Assessment for Children (In-home Cases)

Legal Authority

Introduction

The purpose of the standardized screener is to enhance behavioral health services when an in-home case is opened. Upon the opening of an in-home case, the SSW will complete the screener to engage with the child(ren) and family and gather information about the child(ren)’s traumatic experiences and symptoms of concern. If a child scores in the clinical range on any of the screening tools, the child(ren) will be referred to an approved behavioral health provider for additional clinical assessment. 


The behavioral health provider will complete a Kentucky Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (KY-CANS) assessment with the child and family of origin. Through the KY-CANS Assessment Report, the behavioral health provider will share the recommended treatment modalities and frequency of services, as well as the diagnosis and actionable items identified during​ the assessment process. The initial KY-CANS will be completed within 30 calendar days of the referral. To monitor progress over time, the KY-CANS Assessment will be re-administered every 90 days. Upon receipt of the KY-CANS Assessment Report in TWIST, the SSW will utilize the report to update the case plan and monitor a child’s progress over time. As part of the process, information from the screener and the KY-CANS will be used to enhance communication between the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) and behavioral health providers, support the family, and further engage the family/caregiver on the need for services. The processes created for screening are designed to address child behavioral health needs early in an in-home case, thereby enhancing family stability and maintaining permanency. 


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Practice Guidance

Procedure

​The SSW:

  1. Completes the Screener, within 30 calendar days of the case assignment for all children in the home: 
    1. Screener should be completed with the following guidelines: 
      1. ​​For children six (6) years of age and younger, information is solicited from the child, caregiver(s), and/or collaterals; 
      2. For children seven (7) years of age and older, a face-to-face interview is conducted with the child to obtain the information, and any additional information that is needed may be obtained through caregiver and/or collateral interviews; and 
      3. The screener is entered into TWIST for scoring. 
      4. If the parent or caregiver declines to have a screener administered for their child, the SSW will have the client sign the DPP-885 Screening and Assessment Acknowledgement Form, indicating that the process was explained to them and they do not want their child(ren) to be screened. The signed form must be uploaded to TWIST. 
  2. ​​​Completes the following steps when screening results indicate a KY-CANS Assessment is needed: 
    1. Completes the DCBS Behavioral Health Referral Form in TWIST, selecting the appropriate provider; 
    2. Forwards the DCBS Behavioral Health Referral Form, screener, and results to the DCBS regional liaison;  
    3. Documents screener results and action in TWIST service recordings; 
    4. Discusses screening results with the caregiver/family of origin and the youth. 
    5. If the parent declines the referral to a behavioral health provider for the KY-CANS Assessment, the SSW will have the client sign the DPP-885 Screening and Assessment Acknowledgement Form, indicating that the process was explained to them and they do not want their child(ren) to be assessed. The signed form must be uploaded to TWIST. 
  3. ​Completes the following steps when screening results indicate a KY-CANS Assessment is not needed: 
    1. ​Documents screening results and action in TWIST service recordings; 
    2. Discusses screening results with the caregiver/family of origin and the youth; and
    3. Screens a child within 10 calendar days if any of the following occurs: 
      1. ​Child did not screen in previously; 
      2. A new incident of maltreatment is received, or 
      3. There has been a change in the child’s behavior.
  4. ​​Reviews KY CANS Assessment results and completes the following steps during or before the next monthly face-to-face visit: 
    1. ​Discusses KY CANS Assessment results with the behavioral health provider; 
    2. Discusses KY CANS Assessment results with the caregiver, family of origin, and youth at the next face-to-face contact after receipt, but no later than 30 days after receipt; 
    3. ​Modifies the case plan to reflect the intensity of services and treatment needs recommendations; and 
    4. Documents KY CANS Assessment results and action in TWIST service recordings.


​​Contingencies and Clarifications

If a child enters out-of-home care (OOHC), the SSW should complete a new screener in accordance with SOP C7.22.3 Standardized Screening and Assessment for Children in Out-of-Home Care​.

Documents

Revisions