Community Based Interventions In Two Parts: Systems Of Care And Approaches To Recovery From Psychological Trauma Lenore B. Behar, PhD, Director Child & Family Program Strategies Durham, North Carolina

Presentation for Mississippi Institute on School Health Wellness and Safety The Super Conference Presentation for Mississippi Institute on School Health, Wellness and Safety The Super Conference September 27-29, 2006 Philadelphia, Mississippi

For Bibliography & Slides Go to: See: Presentations Community Based Interventions In Two Parts: Systems Of Care And Approaches To Recovery From Psychological Trauma Mississippi Super Conference,September 2006

Definitions Children: The term “children” includes all people eligible for System of Care services, as defined by the State.

Two Paths for Children Exposed to Trauma System of Care as a Mode of Service Delivery for Children with Serious Emotional Problems Trauma Focused Interventions, usually Individual or Family Therapies

Converging Paths for Children Exposed to Trauma  Since 1985, System of Care has been federal policy for children with serious emotional disturbances, and their families  Since 1993, System of Care has been state policy in Mississippi

The Focus of System of Care in Mississippi To provide community based care and decrease the use of inappropriate out-of-home placements by using pooled resources from mental health, education, child welfare, and Medicaid for children with SED

How Mississippi SOC Evolved legislatively mandated services—one of the first in the country mechanisms to review service quality policy guidance from the State state and community level interagency teams for children who are difficult to serve—multi-agency assessment and planning teams (MAP) teams include agencies and parents

Support from the Family Organization Mississippi Families as Allies for Children's Mental Health (MSFAA) established in 1990 one of the first family-run, family focused organizations in the country provided ongoing support to System of Care development

System of Care Principles Child centered, individualized Family focused Community based Comprehensive Culturally competent Accountable/evidence based Coordinated across agencies Requires care management

Why Do We Need SOC? Need collective expertise Need unified approach to child and family Need to use all the resources available to child and family

It Is Rocket Science!!

What is the Population for the System of Care? The definition is clear: Children with serious/severe emotional disturbances and their families Children and families who need the services of multiple agencies, or who need multiple services

What is SED? An emotional/behavioral disorder diagnosed by a qualified professional that: Requires services of several agencies Significantly impairs functioning Is anticipated to continue for a significant amount of time

Role of Agencies Identify children needing services Identify services needed by the child and family Coordinate services within agency Coordinate services across agencies Use a case manager, if needed

How to Access SOC/MAP Refer through your agency representative to the MAP Team Refer directly to the MAP Team leader Refer through community mental health center

Demonstration Sites , Children of Mississippi and their Parents Accessing Strength Based Services (COMPASS) in Hinds County , the Pinebelt System of Care in Forrest, Lamar and Marion Counties

Acceptance of System of Care Surgeon General’s Report, 2000 Report of the President’s New Freedom Commission, 2003 Over $100 million annual funding by Congress through the Center for Mental Health Services, SAMHSA Lawsuit settlements in several states State statutes and policies

Relevance to Children Exposed to Trauma 20 years of study of system of care issues has clarified the value of context of services Studies of clinical effectiveness of services for children exposed to trauma have evolved separately These two paths are merging for improved services to children and families

Definitions Trauma Physical Abuse and Neglect Sexual Abuse Traumatic Grief Domestic Violence Community and School Violence National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2006

Definitions Trauma Complex Trauma (multiple trauma)Complex Trauma Medical Trauma Refugee and War Zone Trauma Natural Disasters Terrorism

Two Groups of Children Group 1: Children exposed to trauma who exhibit symptoms requiring treatment; show the potential for PTSD (about 20%) Group 2: Children exposed to trauma who will recover without treatment (about 80%)

Description of the Groups Both may show the same symptoms initially Group 1: Symptoms increase; children do not recover with initial intervention Group 2: Shows resilience, recovery

System of Care for Group 1 They meet the definition of serious or severe disturbance: The disorder interferes with daily functioning (sleep, school, interactions, thinking) It is projected to be long term, without treatment Long-term effects without treatment can be damaging

SOC Principles Should Apply Child centered, individualized Strengths based Family focused Community based Comprehensive; formal and informal Culturally competent Accountable/evidence based Coordinated across agencies Requires care management

Evidence Based Services for Group 1 Include: –Cognitive Behavioral Therapy –Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) –Trauma Focused Individual, Family and Group Treatment

Online Course in Trauma Focused CBT

Importance of T rauma Practices in Systems of Care Children exposed to trauma Had higher service costs Used more high-end services, including: psychiatric hospitalization, residential treatment,and crisis intervention services at higher cost Yoe, Burns et al, 2004

Importance of Trauma Practices in Systems of Care Used more Case Management services at higher cost; and Used more outpatient-clinical and medication management services at higher cost

Importance of Trauma Practices in Systems of Care Groups were the same in service use and costs in Substance Abuse Tx Home-Based Family Services Day Treatment Community Support Services Behavioral Health Pharmacy In-Home Services

Group 2, Why Intervene? To alleviate traumatic stress reactions To provide comfort To (possibly) prevent longer- term, more serious reactions To identify those who need more intensive interventions

SOC Principles for Group 2 Not child centered, not individualized Strengths based Family involved Community based Comprehensive, only informal services Culturally competent Accountable/evidence based Coordinated across agencies Does not require care management

Community Based Interventions delivered in the child’s “community” –With peers –In school or other group setting –Involves child’s helpers-parents, teachers, shelter aides –Uses indigenous assistants

Strengths Based Focuses on stabilization Corrects misperceptions Emphasizes maintaining psychological control--coping Emphasizes support systems Focuses on health and self- care

Family Focused Parents involved in planning Parents involved in learning how to cope Parents involved in ongoing support of children

Impact of Trauma on Schools Events of past 16 years: Desert Storm—the first war fought on television Oklahoma City bombing—news coverage School shootings September 11, 2001 Hurricane Katrina Marlene Wong, 2006

Crisis & Emergency Plan for Schools Mental Health Component

Mitigation and Prevention Identify possible disasters Identify potential hazards/ barriers to a good response transportation routes factories/other highly populated areas

Preparation Develop an emergency response plan; consider emotional responses Establish relationships with mental health professionals Develop protocols for response Train staff in psychological first aid Establish back-up systems Practice, practice, practice

Response Assess level of exposure Identify those most at risk Provide support/first aid Provide timely information/media messages Identify those who need longer- term intervention and arrange it

Recovery Address long-term needs through interventions using coping strategies Address long-term needs through referral to community or in- school specialists Plan for anniversaries

Actions for Schools Recognize children are vulnerable to many kinds of trauma through direct or indirect exposure Central point for community— 50% of people involved with school

Ensure Internal Coordination Establish who is in charge Establish roles for each entity school safety personnel resource officers school counselors/psych./sw school health teachers

Group 2: Evidence Based Services/Promising Practices Psychological First-Aid Post Trauma Stress Management Classroom-Based Interventions or Group Interventions National Center for PTSD, 2005, Macy, Behar, et al 2005, Macy, 2006

Trauma Response Teams Examples of Effective Programs Center for Trauma Psychology –Community –Classroom Community Policing Project (Yale) Community Stress Prevention Centre (Israel)

Center for Trauma Psychology-Community Intensively trained volunteers Follow a clear protocol Establish contacts in communities Provide Psychological First Aid/Post Traumatic Stress Management Informal evidence of effectiveness

Center for Trauma Psychology--Classroom Uses classroom based coping groups Trains teachers Involves parents Used also by Save the Children Most evidence of effectiveness

Community Policing Project Highly trained staff Train police to handle child cases Ride along with police Provide team interventions— psychologists & police together Informal evidence of effectiveness

Community Stress Prevention Centre (Israel) Trains child caregivers, parents, teachers, first responders Provides back-up Experienced in international relief Informal evidence of effectiveness—theory based

Resources at For Educators General Public Juvenile Justice Professionals Media Mental Health/Medical Professionals Parents and Caregivers Policy Makers