CHDI NEWSLETTER
Support for Children Affected by the Trauma of Family Separation at Border
Decades of clinical and developmental research affirm the positive impact of healthy caregiver-child attachment, as well as the harmful impact of trauma on the developing child.  For that reason, CHDI joins organizations across the country in supporting the end of forced separations at our borders and the immediate reunification of affected families.  We are also reminded at this time, that each day in the United States, thousands of children suffer from the negative impact of traumatic events including abuse, neglect, and violence. As a nation, we must recommit ourselves to preventing, and when necessary addressing, the harmful effects of trauma. We can do this by preserving and promoting the health and integrity of families, by equipping systems and individuals to understand the harmful effects of trauma on children, and by implementing evidence-based interventions to address children and families impacted by trauma. 

Resources from Child Trends and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network have been developed to assist caregivers, providers, and others in addressing the needs of children separated from their parents at the border.
Job Opportunities at CHDI
We are currently looking to hire for the following positions:
  • Director of Implementation to lead and expand statewide initiatives to implement evidence-based practices (EBPs) for children with behavioral health concerns. 
  • Project Coordinator to work on projects related to evidence-based practice dissemination and quality improvement initiatives in children's behavioral health programs. 
  • Data Analyst or Senior Data Analyst to work on projects related to performance improvement and dissemination of evidence-based practices in children's behavioral health. 
Click here  to read the full job descriptions and application instructions.
CHDI Co-Authors Journal Article on Mobile Crisis in Special Issue of Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics
Each year, increasing numbers of children and families seek care for psychiatric crises; unfortunately, most communities offer limited services to meet these needs. Youth in crisis often present to emergency departments, but may not need or benefit from that level of care. Instead, data reflect improved clinical and financial outcomes when communities offer a continuum of crisis services. 

CHDI's Jeff Vanderploeg and Eva Haldane co-authored an article with Kristina Sowar and Deborah Thurber on youth behavioral health crisis services in the July 2018 edition of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics. The article,"Psychiatric Community Crisis Services for Youth" explores Connecticut's statewide Mobile Crisis Intervention Services, as well as a model in Ventura County, California, and highlights key components for leaders to consider in developing these services. 

Connecticut's Mobile Crisis Intervention Services is funded by the Department of Children and Families and has provided 81,400 episodes of care to youth with behavioral health needs since 2010. CHDI serves as the Mobile Crisis Intervention Services Performance Improvement Center and leads efforts to improve quality, response time, parent satisfaction and outcomes. 
10th Annual Healing Connecticut's Children: The Trauma Focused Evidence-Based Practice Conference
On June 6, CHDI hosted the 10th Annual Healing Connecticut's Children: The Trauma Focused Evidence-Based Practice Conference at the Connecticut Convention Center. Governor Dannel Malloy discussed the importance of addressing children's mental health issues and thanked attendees and state partners for their work on trauma-informed care for children in Connecticut. The conference included a panel discussion, a key note address by Dr. Lisa Amaya-Jackson of Duke University School of Medicine, and breakout sessions.  Several community mental health centers and clinicians were recognized with awards for their evidence-based  practice work.  Click here to read more about the conference. Click here to view photos from the conference.

Funding for this work and conference comes from CT Department of Children and Families, the Court Support Services Division, National Child Traumatic Stress Network, and Administration for Children and Families. 
Free Training for Pediatric Health Providers on Youth Suicide
A growing number of teens are experiencing  depression and suicidal thoughts according to the latest Youth Risk Behavioral Survey. The suicide rate rose 25% nationally between 1999 and 2016 and 19% in  Connecticut. In 2017, Connecticut  reported 402 total deaths by suicide, including 27 among youth ages 19 and under. 

CHDI's  Educating Practices in the Community (EPIC)  training series offers pediatricians and other pediatric health providers free practice change information on youth suicide and a number of other topics. The Youth Suicide: Improving Identification, Prevention and Care module helps providers identify early warning signs of suicide and connect youth and families to helpful services and treatment.  It includes evidence-based screening materials and information on resources and services for prevention and treatment, including: the Use of Lethal Means Restriction (LMR), Mobile Crisis Intervention Services (EMPS), and other community support services. The training also provides important instructions for follow-up care.  Click here  for a full list of training topics and descriptions.
Staff News

Tianna Hill Joins NAMI CT Board of Directors
CHDI's Communications Associate and Project Coordinator for the School-Based Diversion Initiative  Tianna Hill  was elected to the Board of Directors for the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)  Connecticut. Tianna joins a committed group of individuals who support,  educate, and advocate for people living with mental illnesses, their family members, friends, professionals and the public at large. She plans to work specifically with the education committee to promote mental health awareness in schools and in urban communities in Connecticut.
Farewell to Kim Campbell
Kim Campbell left CHDI this month and accepted a position as an  Extension Professor at the UCONN School of Social Work. She joined CHDI in 2012 as a Project Coordinator for the CONCEPT initiative and later severed as the Project Coordinator for the Early Childhood Trauma Collaborative (ECTC). Kim contributed to CHDI's cultural competency and wellness committees and often mentored and supervised social work students placed at CHDI. We wish Kim much success in her next endeavor. 
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