Centerstone Trauma Treatment and Training (CT3) will increase capacity for and access to trauma-focused treatment and services in 5 Indiana counties (Delaware, Fayette, Henry, Union, and Wayne) for children and adolescents (ages 2-17) and their families who experience traumatic events. CT3 will provide evidence-based/informed trauma treatment for 360 youth (Yr 1: 40; Yrs 2-5: 80/annually), including children living in rural areas.
CT3 focus population is expected to mirror catchment area demographics: 51% male, 49% female, 78% white, 6% African American, and 3% Hispanic/Latino individuals. Approximately 31% of catchment area households are located in rural areas. Consistent with Indiana youth’s clinical demographics, 46% of catchment area children will have experienced 1+ Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE), and 11% will have an anxiety-related diagnosis. Child abuse/neglect rates in catchment area counties are significantly higher than Indiana (20/1,000), a state that has the 2nd highest child abuse/neglect rate in the nation. As of October 2019, nearly 9,000 catchment area children were classified as a Child in Need of Services (CHINS); of those, 84% were removed from their homes. The catchment area also experiences high rates of child food insecurity, teen births, and maternal tobacco use.
CT3 will develop/maintain local capacity to implement trauma-informed practices and provide evidence-based/informed trauma treatment interventions appropriate to the focus population. Project goals include: (1) Establish a community-based, culturally competent project to provide and increase access to trauma-focused treatment/services; (2) Develop infrastructure and community capacity to implement services; (3) Improve the health status and outcomes for young children (ages 2-9) and children/adolescents (ages 10-17); and (4) Develop/disseminate a replicable service model. Measurable objectives include: decreased behavioral health concerns by 50% and improved social/emotional functioning by 50% for children ages 2-9; decreased risk factors by 50% and mental health symptomatology related to trauma by 60% and increased psychosocial wellbeing, quality of life, and protective factors by 80% for children/adolescents ages 10-17; and improved family functioning by 50%, increased access to trauma-focused treatment by 90%, and 80% participant retention rate for all clients. CT3 will implement the evidence-based/informed Assessment-Based Treatment for Traumatized Children: Trauma Assessment Pathway (TAP) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) in outpatient settings, and Sunshine Circles, Bounce Back, Coping Cat, and Seeking Safety in school/pre-school settings. Services include direct trauma/treatment services, therapy, care management, professional training and community education, outreach/engagement, screening and assessment, and linkages to services/supports. CT3 has secured commitments from partners dedicated to the project’s success, and will collaborate with child welfare organizations, law enforcement, courts, juvenile justice, and other provider/social service agencies.