Fidelity to IP-CANS and CFT Practices
Welcome to CDSS’s Resource Page for fidelity to the Integrated Practice-Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (IP-CANS) and Child and Family Teams (CFT) practices. This page supports consistent implementation of high-quality IP-CANS and CFT practices across California’s system of care. Here, you will find policy guidance, helpful tools, and training resources to help uphold and strengthen fidelity in all aspects of IP-CANS and CFT implementation.
Sometimes referred to as implementation fidelity, intervention fidelity, treatment fidelity, and treatment integrity, fidelity means the extent to which a program or intervention is delivered as it was intended to be by its developers.
When implemented with fidelity, IP-CANS and CFTs work together to guide meaningful collaboration, inform effective planning, and promote positive, sustainable outcomes for children, youth, nonminor dependents, and their families. Fidelity to these practices is essential to ensuring that services are youth and family-centered, strengths-based, culturally responsive, and aligned with each individual’s unique needs.
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Fidelity All County Letter (ACL)
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Provides updates to those working with children and families in the child welfare or juvenile probation systems about IP-CANS and CFT fidelity requirements related to the Tiered Rate Structure (TRS). A link to this resource will be added when available.
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Fidelity Plan
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Counties must use all tools within the fidelity plan to identify, describe, and analyze strengths and areas of improvement in their IP-CANS and CFT practices. The fidelity plan contains instructions and guidance for these fidelity tools. A link to this resource will be added when available.
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County Practice and Improvement Plan (CPIP)
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The CPIP is a collaborative, organizational self-assessment tool used to evaluate CFT and IP-CANS system infrastructure, implementation, practice, and policy. It is completed by County Placing Agency Leaders, in collaboration with CFT and IP-CANS partners and the Interagency Leadership Team (ILT), with input from contracted providers, children’s behavioral health teams, and tribal agencies. The CPIP must be completed by January 1, 2026, and updated annually thereafter. When completed collaboratively, it provides a comprehensive view of system strengths and areas for improvement, helping guide both local and state technical assistance efforts to support practice fidelity. A link to this resource will be added when available.
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CFT Meeting Observation Tool
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This tool is designed to support agencies in evaluating the quality and fidelity of CFT meetings, including the integration of the IP-CANS. It is completed by a trained observer to assess meeting effectiveness and capture the family’s experience. The tool is not intended for staff performance evaluations. Use of the tool begins January 1, 2026 by an observer designated by the placing agency. A link to this resource will be added when available.
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CFT Meeting Survey
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The CFT Meeting Survey allows counties to collect qualitative feedback from youth, caregivers, and professionals on strengths and areas for improvement in IP-CANS and CFT practices. While currently available, beginning September 1, 2025, the survey will be distributed by caseworkers, facilitators, or other designated staff.
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CFT Brochures
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CFT brochures for youth, caregivers, and professionals provide a basic overview of the IP-CANS and CFT processes. Beginning September 1, 2025, brochures should be distributed—typically by caseworkers or others engaging CFT members—prior to the first CFT meeting. They should be reviewed with recipients as part of a conversation about upcoming CFT meetings or processes (such as team formation), with time allowed for questions to ensure understanding.
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CFT Action Plan
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The standardized CFT Action Plan is used to document CFT meeting information, record action steps, and ensure youth and family voices are accurately reflected and linked to appropriate services. Beginning January 1, 2026, the Action Plan is to be used during CFT meetings and may be completed by any team member; however, caseworkers are responsible for ensuring its completion. The final plan must be attached to court reports with necessary redactions. Youth, families, and Tribes (for Indian children) must be given the opportunity to review and suggest edits to ensure accuracy.
Note: Placing agencies may choose to use the CDSS-issued CFT Action Plan or a CFT Action Plan developed by the Placing Agency until the CDSS issued form is updated and automated within CARES.
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IP-CANS Fidelity Review Tool
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Beginning July 1, 2026, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) will use the IP-CANS Fidelity Review Tool to assess the quality and consistency of IP-CANS completion. By reviewing a targeted sample of cases—prioritizing those with significant data patterns, such as delayed timelines or unusual Tiered Rate Structure (TRS) distributions—the tool helps identify areas in need of support. Findings may result in technical assistance, coaching, or training to strengthen fidelity and better support youth and families. A link to this resource will be added when available.
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Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) Dashboard
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The CCR Dashboard is the designated data source for monitoring IP-CANS and CFT timeliness. This visual tool presents key data indicators related to CCR and has been updated to include IP-CANS and CFT out-of-home timeliness functionality (additional functionality under development). It enables users to explore data trends at both the individual county and state levels.
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SafeMeasures
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SafeMeasures is a secure, web-based data monitoring and reporting tool designed to support placing agencies. It transforms case management data into actionable insights, helping staff track progress, and meet critical deadlines. For questions regarding SafeMeasures user access, please contact your local county agency SafeMeasures site administrator. Note: This data source is not available publicly and is used for local county and statewide tracking.
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California Automated Response and Engagement System (CARES)
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The CARES is a centralized system designed to support child welfare and juvenile probation practices across the state. It plays a critical role in supporting initiatives like the IP-CANS and CFT practices and improving coordination and responsiveness in serving children, youth, and families. CARES is anticipated to be available in October 2026 and will include new CFT and IP-CANS data reporting accessible to placing agencies to include family friendly IP-CANS reports.
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Fidelity Quick Reference
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This quick reference document highlights key elements of fidelity for both IP-CANS and CFT practices. It serves as a practical tool to provide shorthand information related to the fidelity of these practices. A link to this resource will be added when available.
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IP-CANS Flyer
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This flyer provides a quick overview of the IP-CANS, including its purpose, key components, and how it supports collaborative planning and service delivery. It can be used to help youth, families, and teams better understand the IP-CANS and its role in supporting their goals.
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Fidelity TA Flyer
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This flyer outlines a technical assistance process to support fidelity to IP-CANS and CFT practices. Learn about training, coaching, and resources designed to strengthen implementation and improve outcomes. A link to this resource will be added when available.
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Supported Assessment - CPIP
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This supported assessment document supports TA Providers as they work with County Interagency Leadership Teams (ILT) to complete the CPIP, evaluate areas needing improvement, prioritize items to focus on, and create a plan to build the identified areas into easily accessible/centerpiece strengths. A link to this resource will be added when available.
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CPIP Data Sources
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This document provides a list of key data sources to support the development and completion of the CPIP. A link to this resource will be added when available.
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Theory of Change (TOC)
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This Theory of Change supports the effective integration of CFTs and the IP-CANS by clarifying how these practices work together to drive positive outcomes for youth and families within each county’s System of Care. It outlines key elements of how the CFT process and IP-CANS work together to achieve improved safety, permanency and well-being for children and families. A link to this resource will be added when available.
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TOC Crosswalk
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This crosswalk connects the IP-CANS and CFT TOC with relevant CPIP data sources, helping to illustrate how integrated practices and data support improved outcomes for children, youth, and families. It serves as a guide for aligning fidelity efforts with measurable indicators and reinforces the role of data in driving continuous quality improvement. A link to this resource will be added when available.
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CFT Webpage
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The CDSS CFT webpage provides guidance, tools, and resources to support effective CFT practice across California. It offers key policy documents, training information, and implementation supports to help counties and partners uphold fidelity to the CFT process.
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IP-CANS Webpage
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The CDSS IP-CANS webpage offers essential resources to support the use of the IP-CANS tool. It includes policy guidance, training materials, and implementation supports to promote consistent, strengths-based assessment and planning across child welfare.
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IP-CANS and CFT Resource Hub
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Built in a collaborative effort between UC Davis Human Services and the CDSS, this page serves as an access point to technical assistance, training, consultation and guidance for the implementation, practice and continuous quality improvement for IP-CANS and CFT.
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CFT CANS Statewide Forum
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This is an open forum facilitated by UC Davis Northern Academy in partnership with the CDSS that meets quarterly to convene stakeholders from across the state to share information and engage stakeholders in discussions that support the evolution of policy and practice. Please complete this CFT CANS Statewide Forum Invite Request Form to receive meeting invites.
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Technical Assistance Guides
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These technical assistance guides offer practical support for implementing high-quality IP-CANS and CFT practices. They provide clear guidance, tools, and best practices to help counties strengthen fidelity. A link to this resource will be added when available.
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Technical Assistance Request
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Counties can request support for IP-CANS and CFT practices by submitting a Technical Assistance request through the Airtable form. This streamlined process helps connect teams with the appropriate resources, coaching, or guidance needed to enhance practice.
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CalAcademies (formerly Regional Training Academies)
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Serving distinct regions, each CalAcademy provides tailored training, coaching, and technical assistance to child serving agencies (child welfare and juvenile probation, and their partners), ensuring that staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to support children, youth, and families effectively through IP-CANS and CFT practices.
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Praed Foundation
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The Praed Foundation offers support for the training, certification, and completion of the IP-CANS. They provide online training, certification, and recertification through TCOMtraining.com, along with technical assistance and coaching for users and agencies. Additionally, the TCOM Conversations platform offers resources, discussions, and updates on TCOM practices. Support for accessing the online training site and setting up/editing user accounts: support@tcomtraining.com. Support for passing the certification exam and questions about the content and rating of the IP-CANS: coaching@tcomtraining.com.
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CDSS
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The CDSS is available to provide ongoing support to counties in implementing high-quality IP-CANS and CFT practices. CDSS offers technical assistance, guidance, and resources to strengthen fidelity. Counties can access support through technical assistance requests, regular IP-CANS and CFT webinars, and email communication with CDSS staff. For support related to IP-CANS and CFTs, please reach out to CWScoordination@dss.ca.gov.
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