Announcements and Updates
*IMPORTANT* IPS Update
Important Update – IPS CANS in SACWIS All IPS CANS are now completed in SACWIS and we are excited to have fully transitioned our CANS assessment data collection onto the SACWIS platform. In order to have access to SACWIS, you must be CANS 2.0 certified (with a certification date on or after February 25th, 2018), have taken the CANS in SACWIS training and have an active NT/DCFS account. For additional information, please see our FAQs page (link). All IPS clinicians are expected to have full access to SACWIS and be able to complete their CANS within DCFS/IPS program requirements (within 30 days of case opening, at the time of extension and/or at least every 6 months, and/or within 30 days of case closure). SACWIS has been a learning curve for both clinicians and IPS administrative staff and we appreciate everyone’s willingness to adopt this process. If you are new to IPS and are in the process of gaining access to SACWIS, or you just need a refresher, please find our SACWIS guides and links to virtual trainings below. If you are new to IPS and have not completed the process to gain access to enter CANS in SACWIS, please do so before end of the day on July 6th 2023 to ensure credits are transferred to the new DCFS training venue, the Learning and Development Center, planned to be launched July 10th, 2023. If you are still in need of support, please refer to our FAQs page. Any additional questions can be directed to IPS Program Coordinator, Sr, Matt Jedlowski...
*IMPORTANT* IPS Update
Important Update – IPS CANS in SACWIS
All IPS CANS are now completed in SACWIS and we are excited to have fully transitioned our CANS assessment data collection onto the SACWIS platform.
In order to have access to SACWIS, you must be CANS 2.0 certified (with a certification date on or after February 25th, 2018), have taken the CANS in SACWIS training and have an active NT/DCFS account. For additional information, please see our FAQs page (link).
All IPS clinicians are expected to have full access to SACWIS and be able to complete their CANS within DCFS/IPS program requirements (within 30 days of case opening, at the time of extension and/or at least every 6 months, and/or within 30 days of case closure). SACWIS has been a learning curve for both clinicians and IPS administrative staff and we appreciate everyone’s willingness to adopt this process.
If you are new to IPS and are in the process of gaining access to SACWIS, or you just need a refresher, please find our SACWIS guides and links to virtual trainings below. If you are new to IPS and have not completed the process to gain access to enter CANS in SACWIS, please do so before end of the day on July 6th 2023 to ensure credits are transferred to the new DCFS training venue, the Learning and Development Center, planned to be launched July 10th, 2023.
If you are still in need of support, please refer to our FAQs page. Any additional questions can be directed to IPS Program Coordinator, Sr, Matt Jedlowski (matthew.jedlowski@illinois.gov).
SACWIS GUIDES
- Adding a parallel assignment to a case
- Creating substitute caregiver collaterals
- Directions on doing a CANS assessment in a case
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Thank you, IPS Team!
Externalizing Behaviors Guide
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Open in new tab Child Risk Behaviors Guide
STAR Human Trafficking Screen – CANS Crosswalk
Monthly CANS Drop-In Trainings
We are excited to announce that our team is now hosting monthly CANS drop-in hour trainings for our IPS, PPT, and Wraparound programs. These zoom hours are a casual space where we present on different CANS sections/topics, and can answer any questions you might have about scoring the CANS. Please join us when you can!
PPT Drop-in hours are hosted every third Thursday of the month, Wraparound drop-ins are on the third Friday, and IPS drop-ins are on the fourth Tuesday. If you do not already receive an invite and are interested in attending, please email shannan.krull@northwestern.edu.
On Demand Trainings Are Here!
Northwestern has begun posting on demand videos designed to help you with scoring the 2.0 version of the CANS and will be on a variety of topics. You will find them under the reference guides tab within the scoring support page. These videos will be a variety of topics. Our first video walks you though the “difficult to score” CANS guide.
COVID-19 & the CANS Guide Is Here!
We know scoring the CANS throughout the pandemic has been hard on many workers, especially since many of you aren’t able to even meet with your youth in-person. Our team has created a guide to help you pinpoint important domains and numbers to pay attention to that may be concerns for the families you serve.
We are excited to be sharing this guide with you, so that you all will have the tools you need to score the CANS more accurately. You can find the COVID-19 guide as well as many other resources we have available to you and your team over on our Scoring Support page.
Learn More About The Acculturation Domain
The training and support team has spent the last few months creating an additional support guide specifically about the Acculturation Domain. This Domain, as you know, is focused around culture! With the current (and past) state of our country, the acculturation domain is our best way to capture the trauma youth may be experiencing because of their culture.
Check out our CANS Support for Acculturation Guide for more details on how to efficiently score the Acculturation Domain. Want to find anymore support? Check out our page on Scoring Support.
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Certification Mandate
Certification is mandated for all casework staff and supervisors (including POS) in the state of Illinois. Other professional roles such as IPS, PPT, and Wrap Providers also certify and complete CANS per program expectations. It is expected that all CANS users will hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree.
CANS 2.0 Training and Certification Instructions
All staff are required to be certified on the CANS annually to be valid and reliable users of the instrument. Below are instructions for initial certification and re-certification on the tool.
For initial certification on the tool:
- Visit the Illinois DCFS Virtual Training Center and enter your login and password. If you don’t have a login/password, you can get one by contacting DCFS training at 877-800-3393.
- Locate events and registration and search for CANS
- Sign up for the CANS ONLINE TRAINING. This training can be completed at any point during the week time frame you register for.
- Once you have successfully completed the online training, you will be able to sign up for the CANS EXAM component (repeat steps 1 and 2).
- DCFS will send you an email with your score and certification status within a few weeks.
For re-certification on the tool:
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- Scoring Refresher Training must be taken before the recertification exam
- Register for CANS 2.0 recertification exam by calling 877-800-3393