Attention Clients and Families of Frontenac Youth Services
In order to assess and track the progress of clients at Frontenac Youth Services, our agency has been using a tool called the CAFAS (Child and Adolescents Functional Assessment Scale).
This note is to bring to your attention that as of April 1, 2017, Frontenac Youth Services will be switching from the CAFAS to the interRAI Child and Youth Mental Health (ChYMH) and interRAI Child and Youth Mental Health – Developmental Disabilities (ChYMH-DD) assessment tools. The ChYMH/ChYMH-DD is a comprehensive evidence informed mental health assessment and evaluation tool that helps to assess and evaluate client’s needs and measures outcome.
Frequently asked questions:
1. What exactly is the interRAI?
The ChYMH/ChYMH-DD are 2 instruments within the suite of tools that the interRAi offers. There are currently 19 other instruments across a variety of contexts including hospital emergency settings, home care, adult mental health, and corrections. All of the instruments are designed to work together across sectors. This makes it possible for the same person to be assessed in different environments using a similar language. This also allows an individual to be followed across sectors and systems as they age, potentially tracking them throughout their lifetime.
2. How does it work?
The ChYMH/ChYMH-DD are completed by Frontenac staff. We will have a conversation with you/your family about what is happening now and what has happened in the past. With your permission, we will also ask other people in your life such as school staff or other service providers, similar questions. The information we gather is then entered into software provided by interRAI.
3. What is the use of this information?
Frontenac uses this information to help us make decisions about what services and treatment would best help you/your family.
4. What happens to the information?
The information you give us generates reports we will keep on file. This information will also help us inform goals as well as track your progress.