National Center for Child Traumatic Stress - The purpose of the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress (NCCTS) is to act as the coordinating center that serves the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI) network. Specific aims are to: 1) raise the standard of care for traumatized children and families; and 2) improve access to evidence-based treatment and services for children and youth experiencing trauma. Through its targeted goals and objectives, the NCCTS will advance SAMHSA's Strategic priorities. The geographic area to receive training and technical assistance (TTA) will include all 50 US states, Tribes, Territories, and the District of Columbia. Recipients include professionals, providers, and peer supporters across child serving systems (e.g., health, mental health, schools, justice), across disciplines and education levels, as well as students, trainees, and members of the public, including family members and youth who have experienced traumatic events. In total, we will provide training and TA to between 155,000 and 225,000 unduplicated individuals annually (increasing each year), and approximately 950,000 total across the five-year project. TTA that will be implemented through the grant will address topics including implementation and sustainability of trauma-focused evidence-based practices, evaluation and continuous quality improvement, cross-system coordination, crisis response, prevention and early intervention, and workforce capacity building. The goals of the NCCTS are to: 1) increase Network capacity to prevent and reduce child traumatic stress through systematic identification and monitoring of emerging behavioral health threats; 2) support and enhance NCTSI functioning and capacity to improve outcomes for children and families who have experienced trauma by establishing and maintaining a collaborative network structure and procedures; 3) coordinate data collection, analysis, and reporting activities across NCTSI datasets and develop internal performance monitoring systems to improve evidence-based child trauma practice outcomes; 4) increase awareness of child trauma and evidence-based practices and strengthen national responses to disasters and other crises by expanding the range and impact of Network participation in NCTSI activities; 5) guide the development of the national network to improve treatment and services for children who have experienced traumatic events; 6) expand Network reach and increase access to evidence-based treatment among service providers and organizations that do not currently receive SAMHSA grant support; 7) increase collaboration and dissemination of trauma-focused evidence-based practices by convening the Network annually; 8) expand effective treatment and reduce the mental health impacts of child and adolescent trauma through national access to a continuum of education, training, and technical assistance; and 9) build capacity to improve access to evidence-based and trauma-informed services and practices by expanding development and dissemination of clinical and service intervention products. Measurable objectives for each goal will support SAMHSA Strategic Priorities. Taken together, these NCCTS activities will improve access to trauma-informed, evidence-based treatment, support implementation and sustainability of services (including prevention and crisis interventions), and help children and families recover and thrive.
