Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Supervisor

Houston, TX

Full Time

Texans Together

Manager/Supervisor

Position:      Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Supervisor
Classification:             Full-time, Exempt
Reports to:                 Manager, Client Support
Location:                     Houston, TX

Position Description:
The CANS Supervisor of the CANS Assessment Team oversees and supports a team of CANS Assessors responsible for conducting high‑quality Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) interviews and assessments for children and youth in care. This leader ensures assessments are timely, person‑centered, policy‑aligned, and responsive to the needs of children, caregivers, and permanency teams. The Supervisor maintains oversight of assessment workflow, compliance with Texas Child‑Centered Care (T3C) requirements, and the integration of CANS results into the agency’s permanency and placement processes. This position also serves as a key liaison between agency leadership, community partners, and the assessment team.

Primary Responsibilities:

Provide daily supervision, coaching, guidance, and performance management to CANS Assessors.
Ensure staff complete all required trainings and maintain CANS certification.
Conduct regular team meetings, case staffing, and one‑on‑one supervision.
Promote a supportive, inclusive, and mission‑driven team culture.
Oversee scheduling, coordination, and delivery of CANS assessments to ensure compliance with state timeframes and agency standards.
Monitor assessment reports to ensure accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and adherence to T3C requirements.
Review documentation in the eCANS and IMPACT systems and provide corrective feedback as needed.
Resolve escalated issues or disputes regarding assessment outcomes.
Serve as primary point of contact for permanency workers, placement teams, caregivers, and community partners regarding the CANS process.
Communicate program updates, policy changes, and assessment outcomes to internal and external stakeholders.
Provide technical assistance and training on the CANS tool, placement processes, and related policies.
Provide input to leadership on process improvement and implementation strategies for the Texas Child‑Centered Care System.
Ensure adherence to agency policies, licensing standards and confidentiality requirements.
Track program metrics and prepare reports for leadership as requested.
Attend required agency trainings (e.g., Emergency Behavior Intervention, Trauma‑Informed Care, CPR/First Aid).
Remain informed of best practices in child welfare, assessment, and permanency planning.
Perform other duties as assigned to support the Texans Together mission.
Successful completion of the Texas CANS Child Welfare certification and certification as a CANS Super-Skilled User within 90 days of hire date included as part of the position’s training and required annually thereafter.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required.
Minimum three (3) years’ experience in the child welfare field, including Permanency, Foster Care, Adoption, Conservatorship, or Family‑Based Services.

Preferred Qualifications:

Previous supervisory or team‑lead experience strongly preferred.
Prior experience completing CANS assessments and familiarity with T3C standards.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong leadership, coaching, and team‑building skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to work with diverse individuals.
High level of organization, planning, and attention to detail.
Strong critical thinking, assessment, and problem‑solving skills.
Ability to work independently while fostering collaboration across departments.
Proficiency with Windows, web‑based systems, and search technology.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding client and agency information.

Work Conditions:

Environment: Office
Range of Schedule: 24-hour on call-rotation
Travel: Occasional – Local, Statewide (Must have reliable personal transportation, valid Texas Driver License and current Auto Insurance.

DePelchin is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity Workplace.

DePelchin is committed to selecting and employing the best and most qualified person available for each job opening without unlawful discrimination of any kind. Additionally, DePelchin is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), marital or parental status, veteran status, religion, national origin, age, disability, family medical history, genetic information, or political affiliation.

Apply for this position

Required*

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Phone*

Address*

Resume*

We've received your resume. Click here to update it.

Attach resume or Paste resume

Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or Paste resume

Paste your resume here or Attach resume file

Who referred you to this position? Enter their first and last name here.

What's your citizenship / employment eligibility?*

What's your highest level of education completed?*

College or University

Desired salary*

Have you ever been convicted of a felony?*

If “Yes”, you have been convicted of a felony, please explain the circumstances around the conviction:*

Are you currently employed?*

If yes, why are you considering leaving your current employer?*

Are you a current DePelchin employee?*

Are you a current CPS employee with DFPS?*

Do you have a valid Texas Driver License?*

Have you ever worked for this agency? If yes, when and under what name?*

Do you have any family members or are you receiving services from or providing services to this Agency? If yes, please explain.*

Do you have relatives employed with this agency? If yes, please provide the name(s) of the relative(s)?*

Have you lived outside the state of Texas within the previous five (5) years?* YesNo

I certify by MY SIGNATURE BELOW, that I have fully and accurately answered all questions and have given all information requested in this application for employment, and I understand that any wrong or incomplete information on this application may disqualify me for further consideration for employment or, if discovered after I am hired, may be grounds for my immediate dismissal. I understand that all such information is subject to verification by the DePelchin Children’s Center, and hereby give my consent to DePelchin Children’s Center to investigate my background and qualifications using any means, sources, and outside investigators at its disposal. I agree to undergo any type of drug and/or alcohol testing that DePelchin Children’s Center may require at any time. Finally, I understand that submission of this application does not necessarily mean that I will be hired, and that if I am hired, my employment will be “at will”, and either I or DePelchin Children’s Center may terminate my employment at any time, with or without notice or reason."*

Date Signed*

The following questions are entirely optional.

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.

Gender

Race/Ethnicity

Human Check*

Submit Application

CAREERS AT DEPELCHIN

In search of a rewarding career? Join our team of expert, dedicated professionals in making tomorrow brighter for children and families in Texas.

Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Supervisor

Apply for this position