CHDI NEWSLETTER
February 2022
Publications and Resources
Reimagining Connecticut’s behavioral health system for children
CHDI's President and CEO Jeffrey Vanderploeg, PhD, writes in CT Viewpoints that we have an opportunity to reimagine the children's behavioral health system in Connecticut. The pandemic has revealed to the public that our system is in desperate need of investment and expansion. He urges lawmakers to commit resources in a manner that demonstrates the value we place on the health and well-being of children and families, as well as the providers who work every day to meet their needs. Jeff also includes concrete recommendations to support the children's behavioral health workforce, expand key services, and invest in quality. Read Jeff's CT Viewpoints article.
CHDI is developing training on how to screen for child trauma
ScreenTIME is an online training course for child-serving professionals on how to screen children for trauma. This training was developed by national experts based on current research and best practices. The ScreenTIME course will provide learners with the knowledge they need to effectively screen children for trauma and connect families with their preferred supports and services to help children recover from the effects of trauma exposure. The ScreenTIME training is currently being piloted by local and national experts and by families with lived experience of trauma. ​Stay tuned for information on the course launch this Spring!​
Staff News
Farewell to Paulette and LeeAnn
Thank you Paulette James for 15 wonderful years at CHDI!
Paulette James retired from CHDI this month after 15 years of excellent service as an administrative assistant. Every morning, Paulette greeted staff and guests with her signature smile and successfully kept our office running smoothly. Throughout her time at CHDI, she supported several children's health and behavioral health initiatives and helped launch and organize CHDI's annual Take Your Child to Work Day. Her warmth and generosity will be greatly missed by CHDI staff and their children, whom she always made feel special and welcome. We wish Paulette well in her retirement.
Best wishes to LeeAnn Waye in her next endeavor
CHDI bid farewell to LeeAnn Waye earlier this month. LeeAnn accepted a position with the Office of Rural Health in Winsted where she will serve as a program coordinator and provide program and grant management assistance to the Director of Rural Health as part of their COVID-19 Health Disparities Initiative. LeeAnn joined CHDI in 2019 as a data analyst for the Project AWARE initiative addressing mental health in schools. We thank LeeAnn for her many contributions and wish her well in this new and important position.  
Congratulations to Brittany, Aleece, and Christine
Brittany Lange is promoted to Senior Associate
Congratulations to Brittany Lange, PhD, on her promotion to Senior Associate for CHDI’s ScreenTIME (Screen, Triage, Inform, Mitigate, Engage) initiative. In this role, she leads the development and national dissemination of an online training for child-serving professionals to improve early identification and support for children suffering from traumatic stress. She also supports CHDI’s quality improvement initiatives. Brittany joined CHDI in 2019 and has led and contributed to multiple peer-reviewed papers and systematic review protocols. View a list of Brittany’s publications.
Christine Hauser earns her LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor)
Congratulations to Christine Hauser, LCSW, LADC, for completing the Connecticut Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) requirements, which demonstrates expertise in working with individuals who experience issues with substances. Christine serves as a senior project coordinator at CHDI, where she supports the statewide implementation of evidence-based treatments for children's outpatient behavioral health.
Aleece Kelly to chair CHDI's Committee on Antiracism and Equity
Aleece Kelly, MPP, Senior Project Coordinator at CHDI, recently accepted the additional role as chair for CHDI's Committee on Antiracism and Equity (CARE). The staff-led committee recommends and monitors adherence to standards for culturally appropriate and anti-racist policies and practices within the organization in order to advance health equity and wellness. Learn more about CHDI's commitment to equity and racial justice.
CHDI is Hiring!
Join Our Team
Contract Specialist - CHDI seeks a part-time Contracts Specialist responsible for contracting and subcontracting activities for multiple funders and projects to ensure that children in Connecticut will have access to and make use of a comprehensive, effective, community-based health and mental health care system.

Senior Associate - CHDI is seeking a Senior Associate to work on projects related to performance improvement in children’s behavioral health. The position will be responsible for leading data analysis and reporting across multiple community-based children’s behavioral health initiatives.

Data and Quality Improvement Intern - CHDI is seeking a part-time intern to work on one or more initiatives to improve services and systems for children. Planned projects for the Intern include assisting with CHDI’s evidence-based & best practices initiatives.
Visit our website to view job descriptions and learn how to apply.
Child Health and Development Institute
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