SAMHSA NCTSN grant
“A Continuum of Trauma Care: Adapting Evidence-based Practices to Promote Resiliency from Military Families through Juvenile Justice Settings” adapts two evidence-based interventions to serve young children in deployed military families and traumatized adolescents in juvenile justice and residential treatment settings.
These two groups include children at risk for or displaying trauma-related problems such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety, and/or behavior problems due to extended parental deployment(s); and adolescents with complex trauma histories including child maltreatment, and family or community violence.
We are adapting Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), a SAMHSA trauma intervention for young children to reduce trauma symptoms and build resiliency in military families. We are also adapting the NCCTS-developed Trauma- and Grief-Focused Component Therapy for Adolescents (TGCTA) for Juvenile Justice Settings (JJS) and Residential Treatment Centers (RTC). This research poster contains additional information on program implementation.
Although seemingly disparate populations, there are similar needs, resources, and activities that can be provided through our Center, the NCTSN, and beyond to address the issues of these underserved groups. These two adaptations will complement the six evidence-based and -informed practices that we currently implement in community settings.
There are two million children living in Active Duty and Reserve military households with nearly 40% having at least one parent connected to Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. Rates of child maltreatment and serious behavioral problems have increased dramatically in these families. A recent Department of Defense report concluded that available services are insufficient to meet current and future needs.
Studies document that youth in Juvenile Justice Settings (JJS) and Residential Treatment Centers (RTC) have very high rates of complex trauma. Up to 90% experience emotional and behavioral difficulties linked to multiple childhood traumas and losses.