The Ontario Common Assessment of Need (OCAN) supports a recovery approach by supporting conversations that capture the client’s current situation, needs, strengths and service plan.

We use OCAN. How does the implementation of the PDS impact the use of OCAN? 

In response to sector feedback, a new version of OCAN (OCAN 4.0)  is available that aligns the common fields in the MHA PDS and OCAN to reduce the administrative burden of duplicate data entry. Staff would enter the information once and it would populate both PDS and OCAN.

How do we get OCAN 4.0?

Organizations interested in using OCAN 4.0 can connect with their software vendor. If vendors have questions, they can contact OH-DE-IAR-program(at)ontariohealth(.)ca. 

Why is this client sociodemographic and service use information collected in both the MHA PDS and OCAN?

This data is currently collected in both sources to allow pre-existing and ongoing OCAN data analysis work to continue. This work uses sociodemographic data within OCAN to look at differences in needs and outcomes between client population groups from a health equity lens (e.g. ethnicity, sexual orientation, income). The ongoing collection of service use information in OCAN also allows for analysis into the needs and outcomes of clients based on time in service (service use data).  

There are three types of OCAN: (1) Full, (2) Core + Self, (3) Core. Does MHA PDS change any of the types of OCAN we use?

The Full and Core + Self OCAN types are the standardized clinical assessments used in the community mental health sector and the continued use of these assessments is recommended.  The recommendation is to replace the Core OCAN with the MHA PDS as the information collected is similar. The table below shows the type of OCAN recommended for each functional centre.

 If you have questions about the types of OCAN you’re using, please visit Community Care Resources & Support | Ontario Health or email assessmentprogram(a)ontariohealth(.)ca

Full OCANCore OCAN at minimum
  • Assertive Community Treatment
  • Case Management
  • Clubhouse
  • Early Intervention
  • Social Rehabilitation/Recreation
  • Support within Housing
  • Short-term Residential Crisis Support Beds
  • Day/Night Care
  • Counseling and Treatment
  • Diversion and Court Support
  • Psychogeriatric
  • Forensic
  • Vocational Employment
  • Peer/Self-help Initiatives*
    • *Core + Self is recommended
  • Community Mental Health Clinic
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Eating Disorders

Is the OCAN mandatory?

The Ministry of Health has not mandated the use of OCAN. The use of standardized assessment and submission to IAR is required for care planning, system planning and research. 

Will clinical assessment data be part of MHA PDS?

The Assessment/IAR and MHA Centre of Excellence teams continue to work together to explore how assessments can be used to inform the data and digital strategy (e.g., using assessment data to measure client outcomes and service impact).