The Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health has supported numerous initiatives focused on implementing trauma-informed approaches to care. These activities have included workforce development, strategic planning, organizational change efforts, research, and evaluation.
Texas Children Recovering from Trauma: Overview and Goals
The Texas Children Recovering from Trauma (TCRFT) aimed to transform behavioral health services in Texas into a trauma-informed care system that fosters resilience and recovery. The target population for services was children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 who have experienced or witnessed trauma. To reach this goal, the Texas Children Recovering from Trauma initiative focused on achieving the following objectives:
- Transform the existing children’s mental health services in Texas into trauma-informed care services by training the workforce, enhancing policies and practices, and increasing the number of mental health professionals trained in the following trauma-focused treatments: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Parent Child Interaction Therapy.
- Increase access to trauma-informed services for the target population and create partnerships that promote access to trauma-informed treatments.
- Evaluate the outcomes of the trauma-informed treatments received by children and adolescents using culturally-appropriate, trauma-sensitive measures.
- Integrate trauma screening practices into community mental health organizations and increase the number of children screened for trauma in Texas.
Key partners in the TCRFT initiative were the Department of State Health Services, Heart of Texas Regional MHMR, and Bluebonnet Trails Community Center, and the National Council for Behavioral Health.
Participation in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network:
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network is a SAMHSA-supported collaboration of frontline providers, researchers, and families that is committed to raising the standard of care while increasing access to services. Network members provide a variety of supports, including products, curriculum, training, and other resources.
