Issue Brief 75: Screening Youth in the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Systems for Trauma: Data Show it is Practical, Useful, and Effective
|
|
|
|
Trauma screening is important for youth involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, as these children are often exposed to high levels of trauma and may benefit from evidence-based trauma treatments. A common barrier to screening is addressing staff concerns.
This Issue Brief reviews screening efforts by child welfare and juvenile justice staff in Connecticut. The findings suggest that trauma screening was feasible, helpful for providing effective services, and rarely associated with significant distress. The Issue Brief recommendations for advancing trauma screening in Connecticut and nationally across child-serving systems.
|
|
|
|
|
Ensuring Children are Vaccinated During COVID-19 |
|
|
|
Immunization rates among children dropped significantly as families quarantined during COVID-19 and put off well-care visits. To address this, a statewide immunization work group is developing parent, provider and community outreach strategies to increase vaccinations. The group is convened weekly by CHDI and includes: the Department of Public Health, American Academy of Pediatrics CT Chapter, Connecticut Association of School Based Health Centers, Yale School of Medicine, Early Childhood Network, United Way, Child Development Infoline, Community Health Workers Association of Connecticut, and local health district staff. The work group obtained an emergency grant from the Connecticut Health Foundation to increase childhood immunization rates in Hartford, Bridgeport and New Haven, communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
|
|
|
|
Identifying Innovations that Improve Health Equity During COVID-19 |
|
|
|
The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked innovative responses to meet emerging and evolving needs from many child serving sectors. CHDI, through funding from the Children’s Fund of Connecticut, has awarded research grants to four organizations to identify effective practice, policy or system level changes implemented during the pandemic. The funds will identify promising adaptations that have addressed longstanding inequities and disparities and make recommendations for sustaining those innovations. The following organizations were awarded research grants:
-
Childhood Prosperity Lab of the Office for Community Child Health, Connecticut Children's Medical Center will explore innovations adopted in community-based, pediatric primary care sites.
-
Connecticut Community Nonprofit Alliance, Inc. will investigate innovations adopted by children’s behavioral health providers, as well as how state agencies are supporting these innovations.
-
Connecticut Association of School Based Health Centers will survey its membership of more than 100 school based health centers to determine how they have carried out their work at a time when schools are not in session.
-
Center for Applied Research in Human Development at University of Connecticut will focus its investigation on K –12 schools, with particular interest in how school-based mental health services were continued during the pandemic.
|
|
|
|
School Mental Health Newsletter: Back-to-School Guidance |
|
|
|
This fall, schools will look and feel very different with new rules and regulations. Many school staff, caregivers, and students may feel anxious or overwhelmed; however, this time of uncertainty is an opportunity for the school community to learn strategies and skills to create a more holistic environment.
|
|
|
|
To facilitate this process, the “Back to School” edition of our school mental health newsletter includes guidance to help the school community foster resilience and positive coping during this uncertain time. It provides links to social-emotional learning resources for schools, behavioral health supports for students and caregivers, and strategies for rethinking school discipline. |
|
|
|
Rethinking Discipline and Supporting Students’ Behavioral Health with Connecticut’s School-Based Diversion Initiative:
An Interview with Erika Treannie of Bristol Public Schools
|
|
|
|
CHDI recently interviewed Erika Treannie regarding her role in leading Bristol Public Schools’ participation in the School-Based Diversion Initiative (SBDI). SBDI is a school-level initiative coordinated statewide by CHDI that has served 56 schools across 20 districts over the past decade. The goals of SBDI are to reduce exclusionary discipline (e.g., suspensions, expulsions, arrests) and to connect students with behavioral health needs to appropriate school and community-based services and supports. These goals align with the current long-term plan in Bristol Public Schools to better address and support students’ behavioral health needs.
In the following conversation, Erika shares how Bristol Public Schools is using SBDI to change the way the district approaches discipline and behavioral health using strategies that are less punitive and more restorative.
Q: Why did your district decide to participate in the SBDI initiative?
A: After reviewing the SBDI initiative we felt our Bristol Public Schools' goals aligned seamlessly with providing support and services to students determined to be at-risk of discipline intervention. It offered a way to rethink our approach to discipline and reduce arrest rates, while connecting students to behavioral health services.
Q: How is SBDI working at your school?
A: The two schools who participated in SBDI last year (2018-2019) had a decrease in school-based arrests and exclusionary discipline and an increase in 211 mobile crisis referrals to help address students' behavioral health needs and assist families in finding services and support. Clearly this illustrates a shift from reactive structures to proactive engagement of the student and family. This school year (2019-2020), the two new schools who are participating in the SBDI grant have shown similar trends.
|
|
|
|
CHDI Staff Selected to Participate in 2020 National Child Traumatic Stress Network Virtual Summit |
|
|
|
CHDI was selected among 70 applicants to participate in the 2020 National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) Virtual Summit Initiative, “Being Anti-Racist is Central to Trauma-Informed Care: From Awareness to Action.” The Summit will take place on September 15; CHDI is currently engaged in pre-work and will continue to receive technical assistance and support from NCTSN through a six-month follow-up period. The team includes: Jason Lang, Jeana Bracey, Brittany Lange, Jamie LoCurto, Stephanie Luczak, and Ashley Nelson.
|
|
|
|
COVID-19 Resources for Our Partners and the Public |
|
|
|
Join the Team: CHDI is Hiring! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
CHDI is looking to expand our team. We are seeking candidates with the education, experience, and dedication to contribute to effective systems, practices, and policies that improve children's health and well-being.
CHDI is currently hiring for the following position:
CHDI is committed to providing equal access to our employment environment and ensures that all employment-related decisions are in accord with the principles of equal opportunity.
|
|
|
|
Child Health and Development Institute
Copyright ©2020. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
