1. Lessons in Innovation for Refugee Women, Children and Youth World Federation of Mental Health 2007 Conference
Presenters:
Kathleen Connors, Ph.D. –Georgia Coalition for Refugee Mental Health
Monica McGannon, LCSW – DeKalb County Community Services Board
Jeff Atkinson, LPC – Co-founder/lead Therapist-
Attachment and Bonding Center of Atlanta, LLC

2. Summary of Pilot Program and Lessons Learned (Kathleen)
Collaborative inter-agency orientation: DFCS, Juvenile Justice, Community Mental Health, Immigration, Private in-home therapy provider, Food Bank, Schools, Refugee Centers
Collaborative Approach
Partnering of professionals as a treatment teamComplimentary Training for treatment team (i.e., case workers, clinicians, interpreters, etc)- A must for all professionals involved in working with the refugee families. Seven different countries represented.

3. Treating Refugee Women (Monica)   Women from countries represented on caseload (Liberia, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Sierra Leon, Ethiopia, Sudan). Engagement session. Treatment interventions for Refugee Mothers. Transitioning of Families  

4. Treating refugee Children (Jeff) Summary of demographics
Treating refugee Children (Jeff) Summary of demographics. Summary of Mental Health Disorders Summary of Outcome Treatment Interventions Cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, solution-focused Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Outreach to the school Hospital coordination Discharge Planning

5. Demographics for Refugee Youth
Country Gender Age Trauma
Somalia F 15 War
Afghanistan F 16 Domestic Violence
Liberia F 10 War
Haiti F 18 Domestic Violence
Ethiopia* M 13 Sexual molestation
Liberia M 15 War
Mexico M 13 Loss of mother (car accident)
Somalia F 17 War/Domestic Violence

6. Treatment Outcome Stats for Refugee Youth
Country Gender Age CAFAS (1) CAFAS(2)
Somalia F
Afghanistan F
Liberia F
Haiti F
Ethiopia* M
Liberia M
Mexico M
Somalia F
Totals 41% Improvement in overall functioning
*Trauma symptom Checklist used-showed significant change in overall symptoms.

7. Factors in success of treatment for youth
Consistency in service delivery.
Clients wanted to change.
Parents supportive of Treatment
Faith in therapist and outcome of treatment.
Cultural Diversity training of providers.
Pre-treatment improvement.
Inter-agency treatment approach.
Outreach to schools.

8. Close (Kathleen) Question and Answer

9. Kathleen Connors, Ph. D. –Georgia Coalition for Refugee Mental Health
Kathleen Connors, Ph.D. –Georgia Coalition for Refugee Mental Health Monica McGannon – DeKalb County Community Services Board   Jeff Atkinson, LPC – Co-founder/lead Therapist- Attachment and Bonding Center of Atlanta, LLC Thanks for listening!