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A statewide introduction of trauma-informed care in a child welfare system
- Authors:
- KRAMER Teresa L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 35(1), 2013, pp.19-24.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Most children in the care of the child welfare system have been exposed to multiple traumas in addition to the stressor of being removed from their home. Because the risk for mental health problems following exposure to trauma is high, a critical need exists to introduce trauma-informed practices into the child welfare system. The purpose of this study is to evaluate initial stages of a trauma-informed training program for the Arkansas Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS). In Phase 1, 102 (75%) of DCFS area directors and supervisors participated in 10 regional, two-day workshops modeled after the National Child and Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) trauma-informed training for child welfare. Pre- and post-training evaluations demonstrated significant improvements in participants' knowledge of trauma-informed practices. A three-month follow-up with directors and supervisors indicated that use of trauma-informed practices increased significantly and that such changes were correlated with pre- versus post-training improvement in knowledge. Most participants were able to partially implement action steps established at the time of training; however, a number of barriers were cited as preventing full implementation, including time constraints, heavy caseloads, lack of staff, and limited resources. Results are discussed in light of plans under way for Phase II training for all DCFS front-line staff. (Publisher abstract)
Trauma-informed care training in a child welfare system: moving it to the front line
- Authors:
- CONNERS-BURROW Nicola A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 35(11), 2013, pp.1830-1835.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
The use of trauma-informed practices in the child welfare system is critically important to prevent system-induced trauma and encourage timely assessment, triage and referral for care when indicated. Ultimately, such measures have the potential over time to decrease the risk for mental health problems in children exposed to a trauma. This study evaluates an initiative in Arkansas to train child welfare front-line staff members in trauma-informed care practices. The impact of the training on knowledge and use of trauma-informed care practices among three types of child welfare staff (caseworkers, program assistants and other front-line staff) was evaluated. Results suggest that this training process was highly successful in improving knowledge of trauma-informed care practices, especially among staff with the least formal education and training. A significant increase in staff use of trauma-informed care practices at the three-month follow-up was also found. Barriers that may prevent staff from full implementation of training concepts are described and strategies to address barriers are proposed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Criticalthinkrx may reduce psychiatric prescribing to foster youth
- Authors:
- COHEN David, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 23(3), 2013, pp.284-293.
- Publisher:
- Sage
In a quasiexperimental, longitudinal study, the monthly proportion of medicated foster children and the average number of prescriptions per medicated child at Agency 1 (669 clients) exposed to the CriticalThinkRx curriculum were compared to Agencies 2–9 (3,346 clients) in the same two-county service network. Data were collected during 6 months of preintervention, 1 month of intervention, and 9 months of postintervention. Practitioners were not informed of data collection. During postintervention months 1-8, the proportion of medicated children declined from 17.5% to 11.0% at Agency 1, while the mean proportion rose slightly at Agencies 2-9, statistically significant effects. At 9 months, the proportion at Agency 1 rose again though not reaching preintervention level. Average numbers of prescriptions per child remained unchanged. Use of CriticalThinkRx may reduce psychiatric prescribing in foster care. (Edited publisher abstract)
Rethinking the road to recovery
- Author:
- MOORE Alison
- Journal article citation:
- Health Service Journal, 123(6334), 10 January 2013, pp.32-33.
- Publisher:
- Emap Healthcare
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough foundation Trust has developed training and roles as peer support workers for former service users after hearing about a scheme by Recovery Innovations in the UK. This article describes the success of this programme. (Original abstract)
Independent Commission on Mental Health and Policing report
- Author:
- INDEPENDENT COMMISSION ON MENTAL HEALTH AND POLICING
- Publisher:
- Independent Commission on Mental Health and Policing
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 80
- Place of publication:
- London
Reports on the findings of the Independent Commission on Mental Health and Policing, which was set up in September 2012 to review the work of the Metropolitan Police Service with regard to people who have died or been seriously injured following police contact or in police custody. It focuses on their responsibilities in dealing with issues of mental health: In custody; at street encounter; and in response to calls made to police, including call handling processes when dealing with members of the public where there is an indication of mental health. The Commission examined 55 Metropolitan Police Service cases covering a five-year period (2007 - 2012) and interviewed the families of those involved; people with mental health problems; their families, police officers and NHS and social services staff. The report identified failings of the Metropolitan Police in a number of areas, including: a lack of mental health awareness amongst staff and officers; lack of training and policy guidance in suicide prevention; failure of procedures to provide adequate care to vulnerable people in custody; problems of interagency working; disproportionate use of force and restraint; and discriminatory attitudes and behaviour. The Commission makes 28 recommendations for change in the areas of: leadership, frontline policing, and inter-agency working. (Edited publisher abstract)
Training for in-home psychiatric disability support workers
- Authors:
- SHEPHERD Nicole, MEEHAN Thomas
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice, 8(1), 2013, pp.35-44.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Support workers who provide in-home support to people with psychiatric disability are becoming a significant part of the mental health workforce. Research is needed to establish the optimum level and content of training they need to effectively carry out their role. This paper draw on the results of a survey of 104 support workers and interviews with 18 support workers and eight managers in Queensland, Australia, who provide in-home support for people with psychiatric disability. The authors describe the training undertaken by these workers and their perceptions of the adequacy of this training in relation to the challenges of their work. The majority of support workers felt they had adequate training, though many expressed the desire to know more about mental illness symptoms, medications and the concept of recovery. Support workers nominated motivating their clients and managing challenging behaviour as the most difficult aspect of the job. Future training offered to these workers needs to focus on increasing knowledge about mental illness and the concept of recovery, and supporting them in their work with clients who have low levels of motivation and/or challenging behaviours. Access to professional supervision may also be of benefit. This paper adds to knowledge about the training needs of support workers who provide in-home support to people with psychiatric disability. These findings will be useful for practitioners and decision makers who are considering the training needs of this group. (Publisher abstract)