Michigan Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (MichiCANS)
View MichiCANS Training CatalogWhat is the MichiCANS?
The Michigan Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (MichiCANS) is a powerful tool for understanding what a child and their family truly need and where their strengths lie. It's more than an assessment—it's a shared process that helps teams make informed decisions, set goals and create tailored care plans. By using MichiCANS, professionals can build trust, amplify family voices and track real outcomes over time.
The MichiCANS tool is:
- Standardized.
- Based upon best practices and evidence.
- Strengths-focused.
- Collaborative.
To learn more about the MichiCANS, please visit the MichiCANS webpage.
Why the MichiCANS Matters
MichiCANS helps professionals:
- Communicate clearly about needs and strengths.
- Design individualized service plans.
- Guide care planning and track progress.
- Focus on the voices of children, youth and families.
- Support statewide consistency and quality improvement.
Who Should Attend MichiCANS Training?
Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHP), Community Mental Health Service Providers (CMHSP) and Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) Providers
Providers who are employed or contracted by PIHP, CMHSP and CCBHC organizations.
Your MichiCANS trainings will be held on the Capacity Building Center website.
Requirement for full certification:
Training 1: Transformational Collaborative Outcomes Management (TCOM) Orientation.
Training 2: MichiCANS Overview.
Successfully passing the MichiCANS Certification Course, which includes the assessment.
Additional Training Requirements:
- MDHHS also requires MichiCANS Action Planning training for all certified MichiCANS staff and their supervisors who facilitate in any component of a planning process. This training will assist users with the overall use and understanding of the tool, and its role in service planning.
- Supervisors are also required to attend Supervisory Training.
Medicaid Health Plans (MHP)
Providers who contract directly to Medicaid and DO NOT contract with a PIHP, CMHSP or CCBHC Organization.
Your MichiCANS trainings will be held on the Transformational Collaborative Outcomes Management (TCOM) training platform.
Requirement for full certification:
Training 1: TCOM Orientation for Michigan Medicaid Health Plan Providers.
Training 2: MichiCANS Overview for Michigan Medicaid Health Plan Providers.
Successfully passing the MichiCANS Certification Course, which includes the assessment.
Please note:
If you have previously taken TCOM Orientation, the MichiCANS Overview and passed the certification course (connected to your employment with a PIHP, CMHSP, or CCBHC), then your certification is good for one year. If you are currently certified in the MichiCANS, you DO NOT need to retake MHP provider training.
Once you have taken the required MichiCANS trainings and successfully passed the MichiCANS Certification course, your MichiCANS Certificate of Completion is active for one year. Certification expiration date is found on your MichiCANS certificate. Annual Recertification is required.
MichiCANS Training Process
Whether you're a clinician or a clinical supervisor, the MichiCANS training path provides clear, comprehensive support throughout your professional development.
For Clinical Supervisors:
- Complete both Transformational Collaborative Outcomes Management (TCOM) Orientation and MichiCANS Overview.
- Complete a Certification Assessment (successful assessment required for certification).
- Engage in Action Planning training required for all MichiCANS staff and supervisors of staff participating in any component of a planning process.
- Participate in Supervisory Training which is required for all Supervisors.
- Optional but recommended: Supervisor Community of Practice Meetings.
For Clinicians:
- Complete both Transformational Collaborative Outcomes Management (TCOM) Orientation and MichiCANS Overview.
- Complete a Certification Assessment (successful assessment required for certification).
- Engage in Action Planning training required for all MichiCANS staff and supervisors of staff.
The training path is strategically designed to build your skills progressively. While some components are mandatory and others optional, each is carefully crafted to enhance your professional capabilities and ensure effective use of MichiCANS.
What You'll Learn in MichiCANS Training
MichiCANS trainings give you the knowledge and tools to:
- Complete assessments with confidence.
- Engage families in the planning process.
- Turn data into meaningful action steps.
- Use MichiCANS to support teams and improve care.
- Understand certification and re-certification requirements.
Training That Fits Your Role
- For Clinicians - Learn how to complete the MichiCANS collaboratively with youth and families.
- For Supervisors - Get guidance on how to support your team, monitor quality and use MichiCANS for oversight and coaching.
Training that is Interactive and Practical. Workshops are led by experienced trainers and offer peer interaction, examples and real-life applications. With interactive workshops, specialized sessions and regular opportunities to connect with peers across the state, MichiCANS training promotes a consistent, strengths-based approach that supports better outcomes for children, youth and families.
Please note: All MichiCANS certification exams, initial and annual, will continue to be accessed and taken via the TCOM training platform at www.tcomtraining.com. Support related to accessing certification exams can be found at support@tcomtraining.com.
Certification Details
Select the link for information on Annual MichiCANS Recertification Requirements.
Reminder: You must have a MiLogin account to register for a training.
Need to create a MiLogin account? Follow these instructions:
View Guide PDF – Create a MiLogin Account and Register for a Training
Watch Guide Video – Create a MiLogin Account and Register for a Training
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Ready to grow?
Below are the current MichiCANS trainings offered by the CBC. Select a training to learn more.
Important Note: Please follow these instructions to create your personal CBC account and register for training.
MichiCANS Action Planning
MichiCANS Annual Certification Booster
MichiCANS Overview
MichiCANS Supervisor Community of Practice
MichiCANS Supervisory Training
