Functional Assessment Resources

The following are links to various resources, tools and processes for standardized assessment of functioning for individuals with mental health challenges. 

Assessment instruments for Adults with Mental Illness

LOCUS - CALOCUS resources

Iowa LOCUS Online

This site will get you into the Iowa Locus Online system.  REQUIRES PASSWORD AND LOGIN ID.  Contact ICMH staff if interested in learning more about this. 

Test site (for training purposes)

Secure Site (for actual data entry)

Unique Identifier = First 3 letters of last name, last 4 numbers in social security number, date of birth (mmddyyyy) and sex (M or F)  (to allow LOCUS data to ultimately be mergeable with other data in DHS data warehouse (e.g., outcomes, financials, etc).

LOCUS (Level of care Utilization of Services for Psychiatric and Addition Services)

A relatively simple, widely used scale to determine appropriate level of care for adults with mental illness and substance abuse disorders.

CA-LOCUS:  (Child / Adolescent LOCUS)

A version of the LOCUS designed for children and adolescents

LOCUS on-line

A demonstration of the LOCUS and CALOCUS web-enabled capabilities

LOCUS:  Extended Applications

An interesting presentation by the primary developer of the LOCUS on additional uses. 

GAF - CGAS resources

Training on the GAF and C-GAS

The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) is probably the most widely used functional assessment scale in all of mental health, as it has been adopted as the 5th axis in the DSM system over the past 25 years.  The C-GAS is the child version of this.  This site provides free on-line training for both through the use of brief vignettes that have been pre-scored. 

ROMS resources

Recovery Outcomes Management System (ROMS)

This is a method of outcomes assessment for adults with serious mental illness. It is being promoted by a company called Polaris Health Directions.  Magellan Behavioral Health is using some of their instruments and software.

CANS/ANSA resources

Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS)

An instrument for children with a variety of disabilities, being widely used around the country. 

CANS-MH form

There are multiple variations on the CANS for different populations of children (e.g., developmentally disabled, juvenile justice involvement, etc.) This is the one of children with mental health challenges. 

Adult Needs and Strengths Assessment (ANSA)

Adapted from the CANS-MH - a version for adults.  This is the manual.

ANSA form

Scoring form for the ANSA

Achenbach Resources

The Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA)

The Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) includes a variety of tools and processes, initially targeted to children with behavioral problems, but also including scales across the age range. 

Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) Resources

CAFAS Home Page

Basic information about the CAFAS and contact information for training and permission to use it. Contact them directly for a sample copy of the instrument.

ICAP resources (Inventory for Client and Agency Planning)

Riverside Publishing - ICAP home page

This company sells ICAP materials including booklets and software

ICAP Users Group

A useful set of resources for those involved in employing the ICAP

ICAP References

A comprehensive listing of articles regarding the ICAP

Brain Injury Assessment Instruments

COMBY - The Center for Outcome Measurement in Brain Injury

A great resource for instruments measuring a variety of outcomes for BI. 

Outcomes Tools and Systems

NOMs -National Outcome Measures

SAMHSA's ongoing attempt provide a unified set of outcome domains across populations and states.

Telesage

Started by a psychiatrist interested in consumer-centered mental health outcomes, this company now develops survey methodology for a variety of applications, but a primary interest continues to be in mental health outcomes. 

Telesage - Washington Presentation

Interesting powerpoint presentation on using Outcomes to enhance self-directed care

Ohio Department of Mental Health - Outcomes

Ohio has been working for over 10 years on their outcomes systems, which is probably the most well developed such system in the country at this point - lots of resources and "lessons learned" to be found here.