SB6 programs are required to complete the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) tool for all students enrolled in SB6 services at two (2) time points, usually six months a part, during the school year to measure any change and transformation. This graph shows the percentage of students who showed improvement on the "School Behavior" item within the "Life Functioning" domain on the CANS from the Fall to the Spring within a single school year.

The average improvement across the "Life Functioning" domain in SFY 2019 was 36%, which decreased to 33% in SFY 2020, so it is interesting that the "School Behavior" item within this domain showed the opposite trend. The Spring 2020 measurement time point would have occurred shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic response began and schools pivoted to fully remote learning. It is difficult to determine how this significant change within the education system may have impacted this measure. Additionally, the Spring 2020 CANS data were missing for approximately 25% of students, which is likely due to the challenge of assessing students during the remote learning period.

• Vermont Care Partners

• Designated Agencies

  • Clara Martin Center

  • Counseling Service of Addison County

  • Health Care and Rehabilitation Services

  • Howard Center

  • Lamoille County Mental Health Services

  • Northeast Kingdom Human Services

  • Northwestern Counseling and Support Services

  • Rutland Mental Health Services

  • United Counseling Service

  • Washington County Mental Health Services

"School Behavior" is one (1) of twelve (12) core items in the "Life Functioning" domain of the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) 2.0 tool. For reference, there are six (6) domains total and there are four (4) levels of rating for each item with specific anchored definitions. Improvement is measured between the same individual at time one (beginning of the school year) and time two (end of the school year). To be identified as having a measured "need" on the School Behavior item, the student must have a rating at time one of "moderate" (Action is required to ensure that the identified need is addressed; need is interfering with functioning) or "severe" (Need is dangerous or disabling; requires immediate and/or intensive action). Other items of the Life Functioning domain include: Family Functioning, Living Situation, Developmental/Intellectual, Self-Care/Daily Living, Medical/Physical, Sexual Development, Sleep, Decision Making, Social Functioning, School Achievement, and School Attendance.