Advancing trauma support in schools: embedding trauma services and support within the multi-tiered system of support model - this project, entitled advancing trauma support in schools: embedding…

Advancing trauma support in schools: embedding trauma services and support within the multi-tiered system of support model - this project, entitled advancing trauma support in schools: embedding trauma services and support within the multi-tiered system of support model will be the first to implement a continuity of services framework within the well-known, data-driven framework used to give targeted support to struggling students. Although the mtss model is used primarily for academic interventions, the application of the model to trauma has been strongly advocated but has not been empirically analyzed. Our central premise is that creating comprehensive programs, pathways, and practices at tier I (PREVENTION), tier II (school-based individual/small-group intervention for mild-to-moderately severe traumatic stress), tier III (school-based individual interventions for severe traumatic stress), and tier IV levels (community based intervention for very severe traumatic stress) will not only improve access to evidence-based and culturally relevant trauma supports but will result in faster and sustained outcomes among traumatized youth. Our rationale, supported by our own pilot data, is that expanding the mtss model to include key trauma-focused features can reduce ptsd and trauma-related issues faster, more economically, and with greater sustainability than the current standard of care in schools. This proposal will use a large school district in kentucky; a high needs district that enrolls students living in economically impoverished rural, suburban and urban communities and is a primary catchment of low-income families migrating from the appalachian region of the state. As such, the rates of exposure to different forms of trauma (e.g., domestic violence, physical abuse) and relevant outcomes (substance abuse, depression) are higher in the community and among district students than comparable areas of the state. Given the breadth of the mtss framework and our efforts on sustainability after the funding is completed, over 5,500 students, families, and community members would be served annually during the funding and over 10,000 would be served in the five years post-funding.