Now is the time for action to address Urban Trauma in our society, it is our responsibility to ensure the communities we serve are thriving and not merely surviving in order to break the generational cycle of racial trauma!

~ Emmanuel Silva De Sousa (Program Manager, Urban Trauma Performance Improvement Center (UTPIC))

Partner Resources

Online courses on trauma screening are available!

The Trauma ScreenTIME Core Course and Schools Course are free online training courses on how to screen children for trauma. These trainings were developed by the Child Health and Development Institute in collaboration with families and national experts based on current research and best practices, and are appropriate for child-serving staff and administrators in various roles, with a particular focus on those who are not clinically trained.* Topics covered include:

• The importance of screening for trauma and traumatic stress
• Common questions about trauma screening
• Developing a screening process
• Selecting a screening measure
• Best practices when conducting screening with a child and family
• Using the results of screening to help children and families

Continuing education credits are available for completing a course.

*The screenTIME Core Course is appropriate for staff in all child-serving settings including:

Pediatric primary care, Early childhood, Juvenile justice, Child welfare, Behavioral health, Mobile crisis, Care coordination, Residential facilities.

Click on the flyer below to download and share with your networks!

Urban Trauma Performance Improvement Center (UTPIC)



The Urban Trauma Performance Improvement Center (UTPIC) is a strategic quality improvement organization which focuses on educating and training staff within organizations on improving their performance within racial equity as well as supporting the clinical work of racial trauma. The UTPIC is part of an exciting and ongoing initiative in partnership between Urban Trauma and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to train clinicians throughout the state of Connecticut on the 2 gold standard certifications for supporting the clinical work of racial trauma with youth and families of color. This initiative is building a network of providers trained on the Urban Trauma Framework and in Dr. Steven Kniffley’s Racial Trauma Treatment models to ensure that children and families of color are receiving quality clinical services to address racial trauma.

So far we have partnered with 8 incredible organizations throughout the state in 4 major cities including Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury, and Bridgeport. These 8 organizations include The Village, My People Clinical Services, LifeBridge, BAGS Foundation, Clifford Beers, Connecticut Junior Republic, Family Centered Services, and the Greater Bridgeport Area Prevention Program.

We are currently still looking for additional organizations throughout the state that would like to partner with us in this incredible initiative and receive both trainings for free for one of the clinicians within their organization. If you are interested in learning more about this initiative and partnering with us please contact the project manager Emmanuel Silva De Sousa at [email protected]

Youth/Family Spotlight

A FAVOR Family Story

Written by Lynette Cruz, FAVOR Inc. Triage Coordinator

My name is Lynette. I am a single mother with a son that has autism complicated by intellectual disability and many other diagnoses including selective mutism. I helped my son apply for the trade school that he was accepted into. 

He was so excited because he always said he wanted to be a chef.  When he started school, he was very frustrated and told me that he wasn’t getting help at school and he was not understanding his academic classes. I contacted the school to inform them that he has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for learning disabilities which included accommodations. The school replied that they were aware of his IEP and were helping him. [...]

What does Wraparound Care Coordination look like in real life?

This is the story of a family and youth who used Care Coordination, and the positive long-term outcomes they experienced.



Watching the Wraparound Process Unfold…

As a new Care Coordinator, I have a different perspective than most of my co-workers. Two things in particular stick out when I think of my work: being a special needs mom to a wonderful, but severely autistic teenage boy and the fact that almost 4 years ago, my child and I went through Care Coordination. Back then, we were in a place where we desperately needed help- help that isn’t often given- traditionally speaking or freely given. Most things in life come with a price tag- monetarily or otherwise. I found Care Coordination to be a way that taught me to think outside of the “box”, let my family’s voice be heard, and helped me gather what I now think of as our “tribe” of people. Because it really does take a village. [...]

CLAS-sy News

Courageous Conversations

facilitator training - Sign up for a free training!

Why would my organization be interested in this opportunity?

According to Forbes Human Resources Council, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs help employees feel safe, respected and connected driving improved business outcomes and financial goals. A critical component of any DEI program is the ability for staff to have courageous conversations, a skill set provided by trained group facilitators.

This training is provided for free through the Connecting to Care initiative, and will provide participants with needed group skills, strategies on handling challenging exchanges, and an understanding of their own biases and how they affect their interaction with others.

Putting it into Action

You might be asking, “How can we implement courageous conversations within our organization?  As an example, North American Family Institute (NAFI) Rhode Island recently led three group conversations with additional sessions scheduled. The facilitators reported that the experience was extremely positive and the skills they learned increased their confidence. As encouraged in the training, they also confirmed that a co-facilitator is instrumental in a successful “conversation.”

They observed participants bravely sharing their own experiences and thoughts on tough topics such as race and gender identity. Participants have been able to learn from others' experiences as well as share ideas, which has strengthened their sense of community. These discussions have helped create a safer space for such conversations to take place and they look forward to continuing the format.

Beacon Health Options, CT, has established three platforms to engage in courageous conversations. These conversations have fostered an equitable and inclusive work culture where everyone has a voice and feels welcomed in a safe space. These platforms include:

• “Diversity Dialogues”, which encourages staff to engage in dialogue regarding a variety of topics related to DEI.
• “Food-For-Thought” sessions allow for a safe space to engage in conversations about global, national and local topics that affect our staff, loved ones, and communities. 
• “Career Connections” is focused on career development and growth, while exploring issues relating to equity, inclusion, and diversity as they relate to the workplace and career growth.

Beacon Health Options, CT also utilizes “Courageous Conversations” training as an orientation tool for new and existing leaders to help foster communication skills in situations such as exchanging critical and positive feedback, opportunities to grow their staff, and as an aid to implementing a solution focused plan of action/encouragement.

How do I sign up?



Connecting to Care will offer two additional trainings but space is limited so contact Lisa Palazzo at [email protected] to get more information. 

For more information on the Connecting to Care CLAS work check out Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services - Plan 4 Children

Children's Behavioral Health Advisory Committee (CBHAC)

The Children’s Behavioral Health Advisory Committee (CBHAC) is actively recruiting voting members!

In addition to our standing monthly meetings, we are seeking voting members who wish to serve a more active role in making recommendations to the DCF commissioner, supporting subcommittees, and guiding the direction of CBHAC activities and efforts. This is a great opportunity to bring your experiences, knowledge, and voice to a statewide system meeting to effect change. We seek to have balanced representation within our voting membership body and positions are available at both the provider and community member level. Additional information is available by emailing the CBHAC co-chairs, Nan Arnstein ([email protected]) and Gabrielle Hall ([email protected]).     

The mission of CBHAC is to promote and enhance the provision of behavioral health services for all children in Connecticut. Appointed and voting members along with many community guests attend monthly meetings to address these needs across the state. This committee must submit an annual report that provides recommendations concerning behavioral health service delivery.

CBHAC is open to the public and all are welcome! If you are interested in attending or receiving email communications from CBHAC, please sign up at Join Our Mission.  

It starts locally! Local collaboratives share resources and strive to meet the mental health needs of children and families in local communities. Meetings are open to everyone in the community. Learn more about your local collaborative here.

Feeling stressed, anxious, alone?

Let's take care of ourselves and each other!

The Children's Behavioral Health Advisory Committee (CBHAC) meets on the first Friday of the month, from 10am-12pm. The next meeting is March 3, 2023.

CBHAC's mission is to promote and enhance the provision of behavioral health services for all children in Connecticut. Appointed members and community guests attend monthly meetings to address these needs across the state. This committee must submit an annual report that provides recommendations concerning behavioral health service delivery.