Friday, December 5, 2008

From the CBHI: ODDS and ENDS

Release Timeline for the Web-Based CANS Application
Please note the following important information on the release timeline for the CANS application.
Development and testing is progressing for the web-based CANS application that will be accessible through the Virtual Gateway (VG). The CANS application will now be rolled-out in two stages, with the first release to occur by the end of December 2008 and the second release to occur in spring 2009. Please note that providers who are required to use CANS are also required to utilize the web-based system when it becomes available. Providers who have registered with the VG for the CANS application will receive an e-mail when the system is operational.
The first release, which will allow providers to develop familiarity with the system, will ask providers to document certain demographic information and to answer the questions that determine whether a child has a Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED). For providers who have used the paper CANS form, the information requested will mirror the SED questions found in the first three pages. The second release will add the questions from the CANS evaluation tool.

Provider Conference Call: CANS Update - Fri, Dec 5th
The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) invites behavioral health providers and other interested parties to join a statewide conference call on the Massachusetts CANS tool on Friday, December 5, 2008, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration is not necessary.
During this call, Jack Simons, Assistant Director of the Children's Behavioral Health Initiative, Carol Gyurina, Director of Analyst and Contracting, MassHealth Behavioral Health and other Commonwealth staff will:
  • discuss CANS implementation including the use of the "Paper CANS" during the period prior to the release of the Web-based system 
  • review unanswered questions from the previous 11/21 conference call 
  • answer your current CANS questions 
Next CANS Conference Call Information
Date: December 5, 2008
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Phone: 866-565-6580
Passcode: 9593452 (then press #)

Help Wanted
Have you used the MA CANS tool? If so, we'd like to hear from you. Please send us an e-mail at CBHI@state.ma.us and share your experience, thoughts and opinions (good and bad) with us. We want to hear from you.

Staff Not Taken CANS Training?
If you are a provider or a clinician who hasn't attended CANS training, please call the Massachusetts CANS Training Center at (508) 856-1016 or e-mail at MassCANS@umassmed.edu. Hurry ... over 5,486 of your colleagues have done so already!

Question of the Week:
What address do I use to send you a completed Paper CANS?
Answer: No, please don't send it to us. All information recorded in the form titled "Identification of Children with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED)" and in the CANS must be retained as part of the medical record.

Got a question? Send it to us at CBHI@state.ma.us.






CBHI
Children's Behavioral Health Initiative
www.mass.gov/masshealth/childbehavioralhealth
email us: CBHI@state.ma.us

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