Alison Krompf Receives International Award

NCSS’ Alison Krompf received the Total Clinical Outcomes Management Award from the John Praed Foundation, an academic research center through the University of Chicago Chapin Hall, for her passion and leadership in spreading the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessment (CANS) and outcomes management in Vermont. She received the international award while attending the Total Clinical Outcomes Management Conference in November 2016, an annual gathering of experts working in the field of caring for children and families. “I was incredibly honored to receive this award, as I am so passionate about this clinical communication tool and its ability to help us provide the best services we can to those in need,” says Krompf.

The CANS is a comprehensive tool that integrates a great deal of information into one place. The simple scoring and clear visual representations help to inform treatment plans and services by allowing children and caregivers to identify and envision their needs and strengths and communicate them easily across providers. The CANS was first utilized at NCSS in January in 2015 and is being used across the state in various programs. At NCSS, the CANS is first conducted upon a client’s entry into the agency, and then again every six months. The CANS gathers many data points to reveal areas that need intense or immediate action, moderate action, or watchful waiting. The unique thing about the CANS is that it also focuses on the strengths of a child and their caregiver(s); this positive lens can prove instrumental in a personalized treatment plan. “Not only does the CANS support our agency’s goal to continually improve our quality of care by monitoring our effectiveness,” says Krompf, “but I believe that the people we serve are greatly motivated by seeing how far they have come. Our clients and families deserve this opportunity to assess their journey and celebrate their progress with us.”

We extend congratulations to Alison Krompf, Quality Manager, for her recognition in receiving this international award. NCSS is proud of Krompf’s hard work and proud to have her in the NCSS family.

*The featured photograph is of Alison Krompf and John Lyons, the creator of the CANS.