Practical Tools and Training Packages to Be Launched by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Nancy Kassam-Adams, Philadelphia

One of the goals of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) in the United States is to harness the collaborative energy and expertise of a wide range of child trauma professionals in order to raise the standard of care for children exposed to trauma. Seven new products, each the result of collaboration among experts from multiple centers within the network, will be launched by the NCTSN in late 2004.

This group of collaborative projects emphasizes practical tools and accessible training materials for a range of professionals who serve children—in schools, the child welfare system, health care and emergency services, as well as the mental health field. The diverse service settings and professional audiences targeted by these products reflect the NCTSN’s emphasis on addressing child traumatic stress and encouraging trauma-informed practice wherever children receive services.

The new products include:

• Child Welfare System Training Curriculum—A training package for professionals working in the child welfare system on identifying traumatic stress and making appropriate referrals.
• Children of War Educational Package—A training video and discussion materials to educate school personnel on refugee trauma.
• Domestic Violence/First Responder Protocols—An online training package for law enforcement and other first responders focusing on responding to domestic violence situations when children are involved.
• Measures Review Database—A Web-based compilation of measure reviews commonly used in the identification and treatment of traumatized children.
• Toolkit for Hospital Personnel—A toolkit of materials for hospital personnel to help identify signs and symptoms of medically related traumatic stress in children.
• Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Implementation Resource Kit for Sexually Abused Children—A comprehensive implementation package for TF-CBT intervention specific to sexually abused children.
• Traumatic Grief Training Package—A training package including an intervention manual, VHS training videos, readings and resources for clinicians to assist in improved identification, understanding and treatment of child traumatic grief.

The development of several of these products will be discussed at the ISTSS 20th Annual Meeting. Further information about these and other NCTSN projects is available at www.NCTSNet.org, or [email protected]. The NCTSN consists of more than 50 centers across the United States based in universities, hospitals, clinics, mental health centers and other organizations that serve traumatized children and their families.

The NCTSN is sponsored by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).