Project Grant H79SM085001

HEAL - IN LIGHT OF ALARMING RATES OF TRAUMA AMONG CHILDREN AND TEENS IN NORTHCENTRAL CONNECTICUT, PREDATING THE START OF THE PANDEMIC AND INTENSIFYING IN RECENT MONTHS, CHR WILL USE A GRANT FROM SAMHSA TO IMPLEMENT A THOUGHTFUL PLAN TO EXPAND ACCESS TO PERSONALIZED, EVIDENCE-BASED TRAUMA TREATMENTS FOR AT-RISK YOUTH. THE GRANT, NAMED HEAL, STANDS FOR HOPE THROUGH EXPANDED ACCESS TO LOCAL TRAUMA TREATMENT. IT WILL PROVIDE SCREENINGS AND TREATMENTS IN CHR'S FIVE OUTPATIENT CLINICS; 18 SCHOOL-BASED CLINICS; AND THREE PEDIATRIC PRACTICES WHERE CHR CLINICIANS SEE CLIENTS. IN ADDITION, CARE COORDINATION WILL BE PROVIDED DIRECTLY IN EACH FAMILY'S HOME. EVERY CHILD OR TEEN WILL BE MATCHED WITH ONE OF FIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS BASED ON THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS. THIS PROPOSAL BUILDS UPON CHR'S DECADES OF EXPERIENCE AS A COMPREHENSIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDER AND THE ONLY CT AGENCY TO MEET ALL CRITERIA AS A CERTIFIED COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINIC (CCBHC). THE POPULATION OF FOCUS IS YOUTH UNDER 18 WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA AND RESIDE IN A 50-TOWN CATCHMENT AREA IN NORTHCENTRAL CT. THE AREA REPRESENT TOWNS SERVED BY CHR'S FIVE MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS, 18 SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS, AND THREE PEDIATRIC PRACTICES WITH EMBEDDED CHR CLINICIANS. STATE AND FEDERAL INDICATORS SUGGEST THAT MORE THAN 65% OF CHILDREN IN THIS CATCHMENT AREA ARE FROM LOW-INCOME HOMES. FURTHER, A VARIETY OF FACTORS, INCLUDING REPORTS FROM CHILD-SERVING STATE AGENCIES, LOCAL POLICE, CHR'S DATA, AND ALARMING NEW DATA FROM THE CDC ABOUT INCREASING MENTAL HEATH VISITS TO ERS FOR CT YOUTH, ILLUSTRATE THE CRITICAL NEED FOR TRAUMA-FOCUSED SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IN THE REGION. ALL 50 TOWNS HAVE BEEN TOUCHED PROFOUNDLY BY THE ONGOING OPIOID CRISIS, RISING SUICIDE RATES, AND ECONOMIC FALLOUT FROM THE PANDEMIC. HEAL WILL MEET THESE NEEDS BY IMPLEMENTING GOALS TO: IMPROVE ACCESS TO ONE OF FIVE PERSONALIZED EVIDENCE-BASED TRAUMA TREATMENTS; ENSURE TRAINING IN TRAUMA-FOCUSED, EVIDENCE-BASED MODELS FOR CHR STAFF; AND PROVIDE CARE COORDINATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVED BY HEAL. MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES INCLUDE: PERCENTAGES OF CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE TRAUMA TREATMENT AND EXPERIENCE IMPROVEMENT OF SYMPTOMS; NUMBER OF THERAPISTS WHO COMPLETE TRAINING AND ONGOING COACHING IN MODEL FIDELITY; NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO RECEIVE CARE COORDINATION SERVICES; AND DOCUMENTATION OF CONSISTENT COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF RELEVANT DATA. WE EXPECT TO SCREEN APPROXIMATELY 2,900 YOUTH EACH YEAR AND PROVIDE DIRECT, EVIDENCE-BASED TRAUMA TREATMENTS AND CARE COORDINATION TO AN ESTIMATED 250 YOUTH PER YEAR, EQUALING 1.250 CHILDREN AND TEENS OVER THE GRANT DURATION.