One potential concern arises from the fact that although trauma screening increased referral rates to services, results did not show a corresponding increase in children receiving trauma-related services. Although the study's data do not explain why this recommendation did not lead to more services being recorded on child welfare records, the researchers believe that in order to understand and correct the disconnect, , agreed that identifying that disconnect is critical. Possible causes include challenges in accessing services within the community and failure to document services provided.
“The ultimate goal is to connect children who have experienced trauma to the services and supports they need,” Connell said. “Our results show that screening can be an important part of that process, but further work is needed to establish the connection. The next step is to It's about identifying barriers to service delivery and connecting each child with the specific support they need.”
The Child Trauma Screen has been translated into multiple languages and is used by juvenile courts and child welfare systems in multiple states and territories in the United States and abroad. Connell and Lang say there are multiple effective tools that can be used to screen for trauma, but most importantly, screen children for traumatic experiences and trauma-related symptoms when there is an opportunity to provide needed services. He said that he should receive the same.
“Most children who suffer from traumatic stress do not receive behavioral health services, and some suffer in silence, without telling anyone about what they have experienced,” Lang said. said. “Screening is an effective strategy for identifying distressed children and providing support and connections to behavioral health and other services. Unfortunately, trauma screening is generally not helpful in many settings. Because it’s not being used, we’re also creating training for adults who work with children.”
The Child Health and Development Institute has developed a web-based training program on trauma screening for social workers, health care providers, educators, and others who work with children. Trauma ScreenTIME is his five-module web-based training on trauma screening, developed with funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Child Traumatic Stress Network. To date, more than 1,600 people have signed up and more than 500 have completed the training, said Connell, who is evaluating the effectiveness of the training among participants.
Modules for people working in schools and children's health care are currently available, and modules for people working in early child care, child welfare, and juvenile justice are also in development. Like Child Trauma Screen, Trauma ScreenTime training is also available online for free.
“Many child service professionals are reluctant or feel unprepared to talk about trauma with children and families,” Lang says. “Trauma ScreenTIME offers a comprehensive course on trauma screening best practices. This training addresses common questions and concerns and provides simple strategies that can be used in virtually any child service setting.” We provide.”
Ann-Shun Swanson, a graduate student at Penn State University, and Megan Genovese, a researcher at the Yale School of Medicine Counseling Center, also contributed to the study.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, and Children's Bureau funded this project.
