New issue brief on childhood obesity, implementation of a school responder model, new study on the impact of trauma, COVID resources, and more
CHDI NEWSLETTER
January 2021
Issue Brief 78 - Promoting a Healthy Weight from Birth: Strategies to Improve Early Childhood Feeding Practices and Address Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Obesity
Childhood obesity is a significant public health challenge disproportionately impacting children of color and children from low-income families. To address this, Connecticut has identified improving children's healthy weight as a priority for the state's Health Enhancement Communities (HEC) initiative. As the HEC initiative gets underway, it is an opportune time to examine and apply lessons learned from recent childhood obesity prevention projects.
This Issue Brief summarizes findings from four projects in Connecticut focused on improving early feeding practices and reducing obesity disparities. It provides recommendations that can inform the HECs and other child health initiatives. The four projects were funded by the Children’s Fund of Connecticut, the Connecticut Health Foundation, and Newman’s Own Foundation and administered by CHDI.
The Issue Brief is dedicated to Dr. Marjorie Rosenthal in honor of her extraordinary life and work to improve children’s health. Marjorie was the lead investigator for Yale’s obesity prevention project highlighted in this Issue Brief.
Resource Helps Schools Simultaneously Address Students' Behavioral Health Needs and Reduce Exclusionary Discipline
CHDI and the National Center for Youth Opportunity and Justice jointly published a resource for schools and communities. The resource, Children’s Behavioral Health and Implementation of the School Responder Model, provides guidance on implementing a School Responder Model (SRM) as part of a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework.
School Responder Models, such as the Connecticut School-Based Diversion Initiative, address behavioral health needs as an alternative to exclusionary school discipline and juvenile justice involvement. They are part of a comprehensive approach that recognizes the connections between behavioral health symptoms and trauma exposure. When MTSS and SRM are implemented together, there are opportunities for shared planning, joint coordination, and multiple funding streams.
New Study Shows Exposure to Trauma Impacts Youth Participation in Systems of Care
CHDI’s Jeana Bracey co-authored an article, Trauma Symptoms and Relationship with Child and Family Team Meeting Characteristics and Outcomes in a Statewide System of Care, published in the Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorder.The article discusses how trauma exposure among youth with serious emotional and behavioral health needs affects their use of comprehensive, community-based services through Systems of Care (SOC). Results demonstrated that trauma was associated with a delay in initiating SOC services, however participation in those services resulted in decreased trauma symptoms and improved outcomes for youth. Findings highlight the importance of providing trauma-informed care in the context of a behavioral health SOC for children and youth with serious emotional and behavioral difficulties and suggest future research is needed to identify the factors that make SOCs and the care coordination process effective for each family.
Christine Hauser Joins CHDI as a Senior Project Coordinator
Christine Hauserjoined CHDI this month as a Senior Project Coordinator. She will coordinate statewide implementation of evidence-based treatments for children's outpatient behavioral health, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and the Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems (MATCH-ADTC). Christine has significant training and experience in evidence-based interventions, including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT); Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT & TF-CBT); Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC); Motivational Interviewing; Adolescent Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (A-SBIRT); and the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA). She graduated from the University of Michigan with a Master’s in Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology through the LSA Honor’s Program. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified School Social Work Specialist.
COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 Resources for Our Partners and the Public
The Annie Casey Foundation, Kids, Families and COVID 19a policy report that includes strategies for meeting the needs of children and families during and after the pandemic.
