CHDI NEWSLETTER
November 2024
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While our newsletter is usually published on the last day of each month, our November issue is a few days late - we didn't want to interrupt your turkey time!
In this issue, read about Connecticut's progress in implementing its Children's Behavioral Health Plan, recent journal articles on critical components of infrastructure in state behavioral health systems and brief screening measures for child adversity, outcomes from the state's youth mobile crisis services, resources for schools and providers, and more. Plus, we're hiring!
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Children's Behavioral Health Plan 2024 Annual Report Now Available | |
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The Children's Behavioral Health Plan Implementation Advisory Board recently published its 2024 Annual Report on the collective work of Connecticut state agencies, family advocates, providers, and community partners to implement the plan this year. CHDI has provided staff support for implementation of the plan since its inception in 2014.
In the report, the Advisory Board notes that while progress has been made, "there is an escalating need to address the significant workforce needs, insufficient funding structures, and lack of coordination across advisory bodies." Read their full assessment and recommendations:
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Recent Journal Publications Authored by CHDI Staff | | |
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Essential Infrastructure in a Well-Functioning Children's Behavioral Health System | |
What exactly do we mean when we talk about the "infrastructure" needed for well-functioning behavioral health systems?
In a new article published in this month's npj Mental Health Research, CHDI President and CEO Jeff Vanderploeg identifies five essential elements of infrastructure in state-level children's behavioral health systems of care - and how states can implement each one.
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Reviewing Brief Child Adversity Screening Measures | |
Screening for various forms of adversity can help child-serving professionals identify kids who may need support, but selecting the most appropriate screening tool for each setting can be a challenge.
CHDI's Brittany Lange, Ashley Nelson, Kellie Randall, and Jason Lang, with Penn State's Christian Connell, recently co-authored an article in the Journal of Child and Family Studies reviewing a wide range of brief screening measures.
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Connecticut's Youth Mobile Crisis Services Maintain Strong Performance, Outcomes in FY2024 | |
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As the Performance Improvement Center for Connecticut’s Mobile Crisis Intervention Services (MCIS), CHDI recently published the MCIS Annual Report for FY2024. Over the past year, Mobile Crisis continued to exceed performance benchmarks, providing high-quality crisis stabilization services for thousands of children and youth statewide.
Mobility rates and response times - key measures of service quality - remained among the highest in the nation and were consistent across racial and ethnic groups. See other key findings in this infographic:
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Statewide, schools were the top caller to Mobile Crisis (42.3%) followed closely by self/family (40.5%). Calls came from nearly every town and city in Connecticut. The top presenting problem was harm/risk of harm to self, demonstrating the critical role of Mobile Crisis services in preventing self-harm and suicide among youth statewide.
According to surveys by 211, 94% of parents and guardians were satisfied with the service. “The clinician was sincere and had a great deal of compassion,” one caregiver shared. Learn more in the full report:
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In Connecticut, Mobile Crisis is available statewide, 24/7/365, to provide in-person crisis stabilization support within 45 minutes to any child or family experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Reach Mobile Crisis by calling 211 or 988. | |
No-Cost Technical Assistance to Help Connecticut Schools Support Student Mental Health | | |
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Want to strengthen student mental health services in your school or district this year? We can help!
Through the federally-funded CONNECTing to Care IV Students (CONNECT IV) initiative, CHDI provides training, technical assistance, and financial incentives to Connecticut public K-12 schools and districts to help them strengthen student mental health services and supports - all at no cost.
Watch the video for a 90-second overview of CONNECT IV, or visit our website to get involved:
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CHDI serves as the statewide Coordinating Center for Connecting Schools to Care IV Students (CONNECT IV), a four-year grant awarded to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Grant partners include the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, CHDI, Carelon Behavioral Health, FAVOR, Inc., and The Consultation Center at Yale. | |
Earn Continuing Education Credits with Trauma ScreenTIME | |
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Need to complete continuing education by the end of the year? Take a Trauma ScreenTIME Course online at your convenience!
CHDI's Trauma ScreenTIME courses teach child-serving professionals how to effectively screen children for trauma and develop a screening process for your organization. CECs/CEUs and MOU Part 4 credits are available from the APA, NBCC, NASW, and APB, and the courses are offered at no cost.
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Trauma ScreenTIME is a partner in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and a SAMHSA NCTSI Category II grantee. | | |
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Connecticut by the Numbers highlighted the Connecticut EBT Partnership's recent national recognition for its work to expand access to evidence-based behavioral health treatments (EBTs) for youth.
The partnership between CHDI, the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, model developers, and a statewide network of community-based providers was honored with the Society for Implementation Research Collaboration's prestigious SIRC Mission Award earlier this fall.
Read more on CT by the Numbers.
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Staff Travels Near and Far in November | |
Project Coordinator Sarah White (pictured on left with Carelon's Jules Calabro) attended the Connecticut Association of School Based Health Centers Annual Conference on November 19th to share resources and information available to schools and SBHCs through CONNECT. | |
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On November 20, Associate VP of School & Community Initiatives Jeana Bracey traveled to St. Louis to attend Race Forward's Facing Race conference, the nation’s largest multiracial, intergenerational racial justice conference.
Explore resources from Race Forward here.
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Best Wishes to Outgoing Staff | |
Join us in sending gratitude and best wishes to two staff leaving CHDI this month: | | |
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Suzanne Shea
As Accounting Manager, Suzanne has been an integral member of CHDI's Finance & Administration team since 2020. She was also involved in our Sunshine Committee, helping to coordinate fun team-building and staff appreciation events throughout the year.
Best wishes on your next adventure, Suzanne!
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Mackenzie presenting a Student Peer Support training on Halloween - in costume (at the school's request!) | |
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Mackenzie Wink, PhD
After starting as a postdoctoral fellow in 2022, Mackenzie was hired on as a Project Coordinator and worked primarily on school mental health projects, including CONNECT IV and a new student peer support model, which she played a lead role in developing.
While she's moving home to the Midwest to be closer to family, we're fortunate that she'll continue to provide consulting support - so we don't have to say goodbye just yet!
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Want to join one of the "Best Places to Work in Connecticut"? We're hiring!
CHDI is seeking to fill a Project Coordinator role to work on projects related to evidence-based practice dissemination and quality improvement initiatives in child and youth behavioral health.
Interested? Find details on our website:
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The Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing effective and integrated system, practice, and policy solutions that result in equitable and optimal behavioral health and well-being for children, youth, and families in Connecticut and beyond.
Is there anything you want to see in future newsletters? Let us know here or reply to this email.
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