In our latest Policy Brief, "Supporting Student Mental Health: Is Connecticut in Good SHAPE?" we share four key recommendations for aligning statewide school mental health policies using The SHAPE System. By adopting these recommendations, the state can support schools and districts in building the capacity to respond to rising mental health demands and develop effective, comprehensive school mental health systems.

Watch this short video overview, then download the full Policy Brief for an in-depth look at how state and local education policymakers and leaders can utilize SHAPE:

CHDI provides free technical assistance to CT schools and districts using The SHAPE System. To learn more, contact Rebekah Behan at rbehan@chdi.org or 860-679-8726.

A large body of research has shown that many children suffering from symptoms related to traumatic stress are not identified and do not receive appropriate treatment. We also know that a significant percentage of youth involved in the juvenile justice system have a history of trauma exposure.

Trauma screening is a promising strategy to help address this, but staff at child-serving organizations often have reservations: Am I qualified to do this? Will asking about trauma cause further distress? How much time will it take?

To better understand and address these concerns, CHDI's Jason Lang and Brittany Lange partnered with researchers from Penn State and the Connecticut Judicial Branch on a study of the feasibility and utility of trauma screening in the juvenile justice system.

Their findings, published in this month's Journal of Traumatic Stress, revealed that trauma screening is useful and practical in juvenile justice settings when appropriate staff support is provided. Very few staff reported that screening caused distress for children or caregivers; in fact, staff reported that screening was ten times more likely to improve child and family engagement than to hinder it.

Our FY 2022 Annual Report on Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) is now available. The report shares data on access, quality, outcomes, and equity in the implementation of CBITS (and its adaptation for elementary-aged children, Bounce Back) among providers CHDI supports.

CBITS and Bounce Back continue to demonstrate strong outcomes for students who have experienced a traumatic event. Approximately two-thirds of youth participating in CBITS and Bounce Back last year had clinically meaningful reductions in post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Youth receiving CBITS experienced equivalent trauma symptom improvements across all racial, ethnic, and sex subgroups. Among Bounce Back participants, Hispanic and Black children experienced the greatest improvement.

As COVID Funds Dry Up, State to Evaluate Children's Mental Health Programs (CT Examiner)

Multiple news outlets covered the first meeting of the CT state legislature's new Transforming Children's Behavioral Health Policy & Planning Committee this month. The committee will work to address many issues affecting the state's children's mental health system, including workforce development, gaps in services, school-based services, insurance reimbursement rates, and data collection. We look forward to serving as a resource to the committee as it moves forward. CHDI President & CEO, Jeff Vanderploeg, was quoted in this CT Examiner article about the new committee's priorities:

Editorial: A governor's playbook for improving youth mental health should catch on (Washington Post, July 4)

988 mental health crisis line gets 5 million calls, text, and chats in first year (NPR, July 15)

New mental health care models in CT offer ER alternatives to children in crisis (Connecticut Public, July 21)

CHDI was proud to participate in a new video series created by Eastern Connecticut State University's Center for Early Childhood Education to help early childhood educators better understand the impact of trauma on young children. The brief videos also explain how educators can respond to trauma-related behaviors and create classroom environments that build children's resilience. CHDI's Chief Program Officer and nationally recognized child trauma expert, Jason Lang, is interviewed in several of the videos.

Earlier this month, CHDI’s Chief Program Officer, Jason Lang, participated as an invited subject matter expert in the federal government’s inter-agency convening on trauma-informed care in Rockville, MD.

The SAMHSA-led convening focused on the development of a national strategy for trauma-informed care across the federal government. Lang (pictured at far left) shared examples of CHDI’s and Connecticut’s work to create a more trauma-informed system of care for children.

Congratulations to Mackenzie Wink, who recently began a new role as Project Coordinator after completing CHDI's year-long Postdoctoral Fellowship. In her new role, Wink will support initiatives for school mental health and trauma-sensitive practices in early childhood. As a fellow, she supported CHDI’s school mental health area and analyzed peer-led school mental health models.

Wink holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Sciences, with a specialization in child and adolescent development, from the University of Connecticut.

Project Coordinator: For projects related to evidence-based practice dissemination and quality improvement initiatives (including substance use & co-occurring disorders).

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.