A network to address childhood trauma (Connecticut)

In Connecticut, the Sandy Hook shootings led to the passage of legislation to strengthen the state's mental health system and intensified efforts to train personnel to screen for trauma in pediatric, school, juvenile justice, welfare and other settings. For example:

A total of 1,303 pediatric health providers and school officials -- that's more than a threefold increase in one year -- have been trained to identify signs of child traumatic stress and connect children to services.

The number of law enforcement, child welfare and mobile mental health providers trained to minimize trauma when a parent is arrested and connect children to services has almost doubled to 664 in the past year.

Close to 670 clinicians at 28 mental health agencies across the state have been trained in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, an evidence-based approach to assist children experiencing difficulties. Eighty percent of children who have been treated with trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy in Connecticut receive a full remission of their diagnosis.

A total of 181 mental health clinicians with Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services have received training to screen for child trauma stress.

Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services clinicians provide on-site assessment and assistance to children experiencing a crisis at home, school or in the community.

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/A-network-to-address-childhood-trauma-5092954.php