Children's research triangle's strengthening infant and early childhood mental health through trauma-informed integrated services - children's research triangle's (CRT) strengthening infant and…

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Children's Research Triangle $499,896 on September 30, 2026, under the Center for Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.532) to strengthen infant and early childhood mental health through trauma-informed integrated services.

Children's Research Triangle will deliver evidence-based screening, assessment, evaluation, treatment, crisis care, and caregiver education to 900+ low-income Chicago-area children ages birth through 12 with or at risk for serious emotional disturbance and their families. Services focus on 35% infants and preschoolers (ages 0–5) and 65% school-aged youth (ages 6–12), the majority of whom have experienced trauma. The recipient will provide evidence-based interventions including Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Theraplay, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing; infant and early childhood mental health consultation; caregiver education through parenting programs; and crisis intervention services. Seventy percent of services are delivered at nine schools and social service agencies in South and West Side Chicago neighborhoods; additional services occur at the Loop clinic and via telehealth. Children's Research Triangle will train 500 professionals and provide consultation to 10 community agencies.

The award period runs through September 29, 2031, with place of performance in Chicago, Illinois.

Children's research triangle's strengthening infant and early childhood mental health through trauma-informed integrated services - children's research triangle's (CRT) strengthening infant and early childhood mental health through trauma-informed integrated services (IECMH) builds social-emotional development, providing evidence-based screening, assessment, evaluation, treatment, crisis care, and caregiver education to 900+ low-income chicago-area children (BIRTH-12) with/at risk for SED, and families. IECMH will train 500 professionals and consult for 10 community agencies. Service area & population. IECMH primarily benefits the chicago metropolitan area, with 70% of services delivered at nine schools and social service agencies in south and west side neighborhoods impacted by high poverty rates and workforce shortages. IECMH also provides services in its loop clinic and via telehealth. Of the 1,166 clients CRT served in 2025, 570 were aged BIRTH-12, with a projected grant service distribution of 35% infants and preschoolers (ages 0-5) and 65% school-aged youth (ages 6-12). Clinical characteristics. CRT's population presents with neglect; physical, sexual or emotional abuse; caregiver separation; bereavement; domestic/community violence; food/housing instability; prenatal substance exposure; parental incarceration; disability; and household mental illness. The majority (96%) have experienced trauma and 10% are in the child welfare system. Diagnoses include depression, anxiety, ptsd, neurodevelopmental differences, disruptive behavior disorders, and psychosis. Strategies and interventions. IECMH delivers prevention and behavioral health promotion; evidence-based screening/assessment and multidisciplinary evaluation; evidence-based treatment (CPP, TF-CBT, pcit, theraplay, emdr); crisis intervention services; caregiver education (step, circle of security parenting); case management/family engagement; infant/early childhood mental health consultation; and workforce training. IT sustains gains post-treatment through ongoing developmental guidance and reflective consultation. Project goals. (1) increase professional awareness of diagnostic/treatment issues for SED; (2) increase early identification of children at risk for SED via evidence-based screening; (3) increase availability of comprehensive evaluations to identify clinical needs; (4) decrease parent-child relationship risk factors; (5) increase access to evidence-based mental health treatment; (6) increase competency of community-based clinicians; (7) maintain a high quality standard of care; and (8) engage and empower parents/caregivers in decision-making. Measurable objectives. (1) train 100 professionals annually (500/TERM) to increase awareness of diagnostic and treatment issues for children with or at risk for SED, with 80% achieving increased knowledge. (2) screen 150 children/caregivers annually (750/TERM) using evidence-based tools to increase identification of at-risk youth, tracking 100% of referral sources. (3) complete comprehensive psychological evaluations for 25 children annually (125/TERM), ensuring 100% receive treatment plans and 70% follow through within 9 months. (4) enroll 15 caregivers annually (75/TERM) in step/cosp to decrease parent-child relationship risk factors, with 80% demonstrating improved parenting skills.(5) provide evidence-based treatment to 70 children/caregivers annually (350/TERM), including crisis intervention services, with 80% improving on standardized outcome measures. (6) partner with two agencies annually (10/TERM) to increase community clinician competency, with 80% of staff improving on the goal achievement scale. (7) maintain high care standards by securing 80% treatment fidelity and 100% clinical supervision. (8) engage and empower caregivers transparently by protecting parental rights, contacting families within 10 days of referral, and ensuring 80% report that their feedback is valued.