1. The Contractor must assist DFPS in reviewing and maintaining an algorithm for the CANS assessment specific to DFPS needs. This includes making adjustments to the current design, implementation, and applications to support a CANS 3.0 version of the tool. DFPS will utilize the CANS assessment to provide clear recommendations that behavioral health, medical and other professionals, caregivers, and Single Source Continuum Contract (SSCC) staff, and DFPS staff can use for service planning, to prioritize interventions, placement matching, permanency planning, and monitoring children's progress. The adjusted CANS 3.0 version of the tool must map into service packages based on descriptions within the Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) System Structure. 2. The Contractor must have experience specifically related to consulting on building algorithms related to Child Welfare and the CANS assessment. They will update and create decision models to support referral into the evolved T3C service packages. 3. The Contractor will meet weekly as needed with a workgroup dedicated to Implementation of the CANS assessment. These meetings can be via teleconference unless in person is requested. Contractor will also make staff experienced with CANS assessments available via phone or email for support and follow up to address any issues arising from implementation of the deliverables under this Contract. 4. The Contractor must build a training and coaching infrastructure within DFPS to support the transition of completing the CANS assessment by STAR Health providers to completing the CANS by DFPS and SSCC CANS Assessors. In this plan, there will be a small team of “Super Skilled Users”, who must be DFPS and SSCC staff, who can support administration of the CANS assessment. The Contractor must provide Super-Skilled User Training to participants identified by DFPS. SuperSkilled Users will be the in-house experts for DFPS and SSCC’s or resource experts for CANS assessors. Super-Skilled Users will be available to help others complete the web-based training or for support to field staff. 5. The Contractor must support Texas CANS team including, but not limited to the T3C Project Office, DFPS/SSCC CANS Assessors, CPS Behavioral Services Division Administrator, CPS CANS Program Specialist and CPS Behavioral Services team. 6. The Contractor must build a training and coaching infrastructure within DFPS to support the transition of completing the CANS assessment by STAR Health providers to completing the CANS assessment by DFPS and SSCC CANS Assessors. The Contractor will host and provide Super-Skilled User CANS booster support and facilitate web based DFPS learning collaborative groups via online resources, for representatives of DFPS Legacy Regions and, where Community Based Care has been implemented, Single Source Continuum Contractors (SSCCs).The infrastructure will be designed to strengthen inter-rater reliability to ensure fidelity and accuracy amongst assessors.
