The CAFAS or Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale is a tool for assessing the day-to-day functioning level of the client and changes that occur over time.  This performance measure tracks the treatment progress of children, youth, and young adults aged 5 – 18, when the total score on the initial pre-CAFAS assessment is 20 points or greater.  A higher CAFAS score indicates a more significant behavioral health concern or number of concerns across such domains as home, school, community, and behavior toward others.  Cases that demonstrate an improvement in the CAFAS total score of 20 points or greater represent a significant improvement for the client. 

• Baltimore County Public Schools
• Baltimore County Police Department
• Baltimore County Department of Health / Bureau of Behavioral Health
• Community Health Providers
• Baltimore County Department of Housing and Community Development

The provision of clinical counseling services must be informed by evidence to support service quality and outcomes. Evidence-based services combine the best available and most current research with the experience and judgement of practitioners, children, youth, and families/caregivers to deliver positive outcomes.

The annual target percentage for CAFAS scores demonstrating an improvement of 20 points or greater is 60%.  A total of 86% or 12 of 14 cases demonstrated an improvement in CAFAS total score of 20 points or greater in FY22.

Definition:  The CAFAS or Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale is a tool for assessing the day-to-day functioning level of the client and changes that occur over time.  This performance measure tracks the treatment progress of children, youth, and young adults aged 5 – 18, when the total score on the initial pre-CAFAS assessment is 20 points or greater.  A higher CAFAS score indicates a more significant behavioral health concern or number of concerns across such domains as home, school, community, and behavior toward others.