Centerstone Trauma Treatment and Training (CT3) will increase capacity for and access to trauma-focused treatment and services in 8 counties (Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, and Stewart, Tennessee; Christian and Trigg, Kentucky) for 400 children/adolescents and their families who experience traumatic events, particularly children of active duty military and Veteran families, including those in rural areas (Yr. 1: 60; Yrs. 2-5: 85, annually).
The focus population will include children/adolescents from among an estimated 21,000 active duty military families and 18,000 Veteran households in the area. Focus population demographics are expected to mirror those of the catchment area, with 52% male, 48% female, 71% white, 19% African American, 9% Hispanic/Latino, and 42.5% rural children/adolescents. Consistent with Tennessee youths' clinical characteristics, roughly 12,600 (17%) area children will experience 2+ Adverse Childhood Experiences (vs. 15% nationally). Approximately 13,800 area children are expected to experience a serious emotional disturbance due to trauma, and 4,000 youth are expected to have a substance use disorder. Trauma risk factors among area children include food insecurity among an estimated 21,000+; lack of insurance among 10,500; and chronic absenteeism among 8,500 K-12 students. Nearly half (45%) of catchment area children of Veterans will experience trauma related to parental post-traumatic stress disorder.
CT3’s strategies include developing/maintaining local capacity to implement trauma-informed practices and provide evidence-based/informed trauma treatment interventions appropriate to the focus population. CT3 will implement evidence-based/informed Assessment-Based Treatment for Traumatized Children: Trauma Assessment Pathway (TAP), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), and DIMENSIONS Tobacco Free Program treatment models, as well as Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) and Nurturing Parenting training/education. Services/strategies include direct trauma/treatment services, therapy, care management, professional training and community education, outreach/engagement, screening and assessment, and linkages to supports/services. Project goals include: 1) Establish a community-based, culturally competent program 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 0-9) and children/adolescents (ages 10-17); and 4) Develop/disseminate a replicable service model. Measurable objectives include: decreased behavioral health concerns and improved social/emotional functioning for children ages 0-9; decreased risk factors and mental health symptomatology related to trauma, reduced 30-day criminal/juvenile justice involvement among clients involved in the criminal/juvenile justice system, and increased psychosocial wellbeing, quality of life, and protective factors for adolescents ages 10-17; and improved family functioning, increased access to trauma-focused treatment, and 80% participant retention rate for all clients. CT3 has secured commitments from partners dedicated to the project’s success, and will collaborate with child welfare organizations, Veteran-serving organizations, law enforcement, government, and other provider/social service agencies.