Course Description: 
The Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) training prepares clinicians to use the CAFAS instrument - an empirically documented, multidimensional measure that is used for measuring functional impairment in children and adolescents. CAFAS permits assessing impairment, choosing corresponding goals that address areas of impairment, and identifying the child's strengths. Participants will learn to use the instrument to assess School, Home and Community Performance, Thinking, Behavior Toward Others, Mood/Emotions, Self-Harm and Substance Abuse as well as the two care-giver scales, Basic Needs and Family/Social Support. These sub-scales assist in developing a treatment plan that is strengths-based and outcomes-driven.   

Course Objectives: 

• Identify essential information to share with caregivers and families about the CAFAS 

• Use the CAFAS in clinical session to encourage families and assist in discussions of setting treatment goals 

• Identify five valid ways of using a CAFAS profile to determine clinical progress 

• Interpret all items on the CAFAS for reliable rating correctly 

• Demonstrate reliable rating of the CAFAS successfully 

• Track whether the youth's functioning improves over time 

 
Timed Agenda: 

9:00 am - 9:15 am       CAFAS Booster Pre-Test  

9:15 am - 10:15 am     Jeopardy 

10:15 am - 10:30 am   BREAK 

10:30 am - 11:00 am   Video Vignette (Jenna) 

11:00 am - 11:30 am   Team Challenge Break-Out Discussion 

11:30 am - 12:00 pm   Reliable Interviewing 

12:00 pm - 12:30 pm   LUNCH 

12:30 pm - 12:45 pm   Team Challenge Presentation (Group 1) 

12:45 pm -1:00 pm      Causes for Celebration and CAFAS Tiers 

1:00 pm - 1:15 pm        Team Challenge Presentation (Group 2) 

1:15 pm - 1:45 pm       Video Vignette (James) 

1:45 pm - 2:00 pm       BREAK 

2:00 pm - 2:15 pm       Team Challenge Presentation (Group 3) 

2:15 pm -2:45 pm        Sharing CAFAS with Caregivers 

2:45 pm - 3:00 pm       Team Challenge Presentation (Group 4) 

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm       CAFAS Booster Reliable Rater Test 

Suggested Participants: Qualified Children’s Mental Health Providers working in CMH billable programs in Wayne County with children ages 7-17 with a primary Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) diagnosis and who are expected to complete the assessment with the children/youth they serve.  The CAFAS Booster is required every two years for those already certified as a CAFAS Reliable Rater, providing a refresher to ensure reliable rating across our System of Care. Failure to complete a booster within 2 years and 30 days of the initial training will result in the rater having to attend the initial two-day training again.  

Cost: $15.00 

Payment Options:   

Online Credit Card (VISA and MASTERCARD only) - safe and secure  

Agency Check or Money Orders made payable to DWIHN, Attn: Andrea Smith, 707 W Milwaukee, Detroit, MI 48202 

Refund/Cancellation Policy: Substitutions are permitted at any time. No shows will be billed at the full training rate. Cancellations must be received in writing at least 7 business days prior to training to asmith1@DWIHN.com to obtain a full refund. If cancellation is received less than 7 business days prior to training then no refund will be given.  

If your schedule has changed and you are no longer able to attend, please un-register yourself from this event through your profile at www.dwctraining.com .You can do this by logging onto http://www.dwctraining.com, and navigating to your Virtual Transcript and clicking Un-register next to this event in your Upcoming Events. 

Required Materials: CAFAS Paper Assessment Form 

The provision of all required materials is included with payment of $15.00 fee.  You will be contacted from a representative from DWIHN regarding how these materials will be provided to you (either in-person for or electronically).   

If you have any questions/concerns regarding the content of this training as well as individual requirements or need special services to participate in this event, please notify Marika Orme at Morme1@DWIHN.org.   

For technical assistance regarding online registration and the DWC website, please contact dwchelp@dwihn.org. 

The code to register for this training will be provided to you by agency leadership.  Please speak to your direct supervisor if this code has not been provided for you.