Youth trauma response project - family service agency (FSA) in santa barbara county california is applying for a nctsi-III grant to fund the youth trauma response project

With funding we will provide trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy to 960 (152 in year one, 202 in years two through five) youth in 5TH through 12TH grades who are experiencing negative mental health outcomes due to trauma, and annually family support to 50 families whose children are receiving therapy. The goal of this project is to reduce the impact of trauma on santa barbara county children, youth, and their families, by providing evidence-based outreach, education, prevention, and therapeutic activities. The objectives are: objective 1: within the first four months of the grant, inform 15 key potential referral sources, including child-serving service systems, of the new therapeutic services available, internally at FSA, and externally throughout the county to promote participation in the therapeutic and prevention activities of this project; annually reach 10 entities. Objective 2: provide presentations and technical assistance to child-serving agencies on trauma-informed practices at least once a quarter. Objective 3: annually 40 youth and parents/guardians will graduate from FSA's strengthening families (parenting class). Objective 4: annually provide therapy to 202 (152 in year one to allow time for hiring and onboarding of new staff) children and youth. Objective 5: annually provide family advocate services including basic needs assistance, information and referral, health insurance (medical) enrollment, and/or case management to 50 families of youth receiving therapeutic services via funding from this grant. The primary outcomes are: 70% of youth will show a reduction in post-traumatic stress symptoms (as measured by ucla ptsd reaction index for children/adolescents - DSM-v); 70% of youth with PSC externalizing problems subscale scores at or above the cutoff will show a reduction in disruptive behavior after treatment; and 70% of youth with PSC anxiety/depression subscale scores at or above the cutoff will show a reduction in symptoms of anxiety and/or depression after treatment.