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 three items within the "Life Functioning" domain on the CANS from the Fall to the Spring within a single school year: "School Behavior", "School Attendance", and "School Achievement". This chart is not a longitudinal look at changes across the years, rather it is looking at changes that occurred within the 6-month assessment period each year (e.g., October to April).

The Spring 2020 measurement time point occurred shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic response began and schools had 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 and high rates of absenteeism. The FY2022 and FY2023 years continued to have workforce challenges in schools and within the Designated Agency system, including school-based position vacancies and especially the Behavioral Intervention Programs which serve students with intensive needs. At the same time, the SB6 programs were reporting that more students were needing support, and students were demonstrating more acute mental health needs and behaviors. Population-level data for Vermont has shown increasing trends of child and youth depression and anxiety, decreases in child/youth resilience, and increases in missed school days. 

• 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", "School Attendance", and "School Achievement" are three (3) 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-related items, 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, and Social Functioning.