How does the Level of Need (LON) relate to the Level of Care and the CAFAS?
The following information is derived from the CSA LON Chart and materials: Children at Level 3: Should have a CAFAS Total Youth/Child Score of 100 or higher and a Community Scale of 30 or higher. Children at Level 4 should have a CAFAS Total Youth/Child Score of 140 or higher and at least one severe risk factor as identified on the CAFAS. Children at Level 5 should have a CAFAS Total Youth/Child Score of 140 or higher and at least one severe risk factor as identified on the CAFAS. Ideally, the child s LON will match the CAFAS score, as well as the “Level of Care” noted under the Primary Caregiver Options on the LON chart. The locality can provide mitigating circumstances that may necessitate the placement of a child whose LON does not match the CAFAS and/or the Level of Care. For example, a child who is placed by a locality in a secure residential treatment program who does not have a CAFAS that supports this level of care could have acceptable mitigating circumstances. The locality co
