CHDI's latest Issue Brief highlights the recent availability of Attachment, Self-Regulation and Competency (ARC), an effective trauma-focused intervention for young children. The expansion of ARC, along with three other evidence-based practices for young children, is part of the Early Childhood Trauma Collaborative's (ECTC) work to increase Connecticut's capacity to identify and treat traumatic stress in young children.
Free Mental Health Resources and Programs for CT Schools
Several resources and programs are available to help schools and mental health providers address student mental health needs. Below are links to free resources and programs that are currently accepting applications for new participants in Connecticut.
Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS)
CBITS and it's elementary school adaptation BounceBack! are school-based group interventions (for grades K-12) that reduce PTSD, depression symptoms, and psychosocial dysfunction in children who have experienced trauma. Since the CT CBITS initiative began in 2015, more than 900 students have completed treatment and more than 140 mental health clinicians have been trained in CBITS and in BounceBack! Learn more.
School-Based Diversion Initiative (SBDI)
SBDI is a school level intervention designed to prevent students from entering the juvenile justice system by connecting them to community based mental health services as an alternative to arrest. Six schools in the districts of Torrington, Norwich, and New Britain are participating in SBDI for the 2017-18 school year. Since 2009, more than 40 schools have reduced arrests and connected students to behavioral health supports through the SBDI program. Learn more.
The School Health Assessment and Performance Evaluation (SHAPE) System
SHAPE is a free interactive system designed to improve school mental health accountability, excellence, and sustainability.
Learn more.
CBITS Results Published in School Psychology Quarterly
Initial outcomes from the Connecticut Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) initiative were recently published in School Psychology Quarterly. Children showed significant improvements in post traumatic stress disorder symptoms and daily functioning following participation in the 10-session CBITS groups. CHDI's Jason Lang co-authored the article, "Statewide Implementation of an Evidence-Based Trauma Intervention in Schools." CHDI serves as Coordinating Center for the statewide CBITS initiative, which is funded by the Department of Children and Families.
Schools, school-based health centers and mental health providers can learn more and apply for free CBITS and BounceBack! training and implementation support by visiting www.chdi.org/cbits.
National Help Me Grow Forum Featured Collaborations with CHDI
CHDI Lisa Honigfeld and Abby Alterpresented on collaborations with the Help Me Grow National Network at the 9th Annual Help Me Grow Forum in Seattle, Washington. CHDI is collaborating with the Help Me Grow National Center at Connecticut Children's through our Educating Practices in the Community program and by providing technical assistance for a grant funded initiative to mitigate toxic stress in young children. Presentation topics included:
Sustainability & Funding: Bringing Help Me Grow into State Health Care Reform Conversations
A Family Affair: 3 Affiliates Work with Pediatric Practices to Address Family Mental Health
Help Me Grow Implementation: HMG 101: Child Care Provider Outreach
Mental Health Awareness Month begins tomorrow and we wanted to share a May calendar of
31 days of wellness activities developed by the Connecticut
Network of Care Transformation initiative (CONNECT). CONNECT creates partnership between families, state agencies, and service providers at the local, regional, and state levels to support children in accessing the services they need in a timely and effective manner through an integrated network of care. CHDI serves as the Coordinating Center for the CONNECT initiative. Learn more at
www.wrapct.org and
www.chdi.org/connect.