Resource Library

For Providers

Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) Framework

From the creators of this model: The Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC) Framework is a flexible, components-based intervention developed for children and adolescents who have experienced complex trauma, along with…

For Providers

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Helping Children Recover From Trauma Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a family-centered, short-term treatment that helps children ages 3-18 recover from upsetting thoughts, feelings, and behavior associated with trauma…

Links - CT Organizations

Urban Trauma Network Initiative (CT)

The Urban Trauma Network Initiative in CT was created in response to the national reckoning on racism that occurred in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For Parents & Caregivers

Connecticut Evidence-Based Practices Provider Directory

The Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) and the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) maintain this directory of providers of several key evidence-based practices available in Connecticut to…

For Providers

Stop It Now: Child Sexual Abuse

Stop It Now! prevents the sexual abuse of children by mobilizing adults, families and communities to take actions that protect children before they are harmed. Offers trainings and informational resources about child sexual abuse prevention, identification, and treatment.

For Providers

Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI)

From the Yale Center for Traumatic Stress and Recovery, developers of CFTSI: What is CFTSI? The Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI) is a brief (5‐8 session), evidence‐based early…

Links - CT Organizations

Children’s Urgent Crisis Centers in Connecticut

CT now has 4 Urgent Crisis Centers (Hartford, New Haven, New London, and Waterbury) for children experiencing mental or behavioral health crises but do not require emergency department care. Learn more on the DCF website.

Links - National Organizations

The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds

The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital educates parents and caregivers about the behavioral health and well-being of children, adolescents, and young adults with behavioral, emotional,…

For Parents & Caregivers

National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated

This national center at Rutgers University maintains excellent online resource libraries in English and Spanish for children with incarcerated parents.

For Schools

Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) & Bounce Back

Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) is an evidence-based, school-based group intervention for grades 5-12 that has been shown to reduce PTSD, depression symptoms, and psychosocial dysfunction in…

For Providers

Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems (MATCH-ADTC)

MATCH-ADTC (Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems) is an evidence-based treatment designed for children ages 6 – 15. Unlike most treatment approaches that…

Links - National Organizations

Child Welfare League of America

Association of public and private nonprofit agencies working to prevent child abuse and neglect. Offers training and consultation for providers, research on best practices, family resources and more.

Links - National Organizations

Children’s Bureau (Administration for Children & Families)

The Children's Bureau of the Administration for Children and Families (U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services), focuses on improving the lives of children and families through programs that reduce child abuse and neglect, increase the number of adoptions, and strengthen foster care. Find training, research and more.

For Providers

Functional Family Therapy

Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is an evidence-based intervention for youth and families. This high-quality, strength-focused family counseling model is designed primarily for at-risk youth who have been referred by the juvenile justice, mental/behavioral health, school, or child welfare systems.

For Parents & Caregivers

CTSupportGroup.org

TurningPointCT.org was developed by young people in Connecticut who are in recovery from mental health and substance use issues. Their mission is to empower teens and young adults in their search for emotional and mental health, help them understand their options, and learn how to navigate the behavioral health system in CT.

Links - National Organizations

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Organization for child & adolescent psychiatrists and other behavioral health providers. Find resources and research to aid in understanding and treating children's developmental, behavioral, & mental health conditions.

Facts, Figures, and Research

America’s Children in Brief: Key National Indicators of Well-Being (2022)

The Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics (Forum) fosters collaboration among 23 Federal agencies that produce and use statistics on children and families. The Forum annually updates all…

Facts, Figures, and Research

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

All children and adolescents experience stressful events which can affect them both emotionally and physically. Their reactions to stress are usually brief, and with support from friends and family, they can recover without further problems. But some children exposed to stressful, scary, or dangerous events may develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Facts, Figures, and Research

Conduct Disorder

From from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: “Conduct disorder” refers to a group of repetitive and persistent behavioral and emotional problems in youngsters. Children and adolescents with…

For Providers

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)

CHDI advances effective, innovative system, practice, and policy solutions that result in equitable and optimal behavioral health and well-being for children, youth, and families in CT and beyond through research, evaluation, training and technical assistance, and demonstration projects that inform systems change. Offers publications, provider training resources, technical assistance and consulting, and more.

Links - National Organizations

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD) at NIH

The mission of NICHD at National Institutes of Health (NIH) is to lead research and training to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents,…

For Parents & Caregivers

HelpGuide.org

An independent, nonprofit, comprehensive website full of resources about mental/behavioral health, well-being, relationships and more, for children and adults.

Links - National Organizations

American Psychological Association

A scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States. Offers publications, research, training and resources for mental health clinicians and the general public.

For Schools

School Shooting Resources (NCTSN)

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCSTN) has an extensive online resource center to help parents, teachers, and youth cope in the aftermath of school shootings or other acts of mass violence.

For Parents & Caregivers

Facts About Bullying (AACAP Resource Center)

Adapted from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Bullying Resource Center Page Bullying is repeated aggressive behavior that can present in the form of threats, physical assault,…

For Providers

Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)

Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) is an intervention for young children, birth through age 5, who have experienced at least one traumatic event and are experiencing behavior, attachment, and/or mental health problems,…

Facts, Figures, and Research

Self-Injury In Adolescents

Self-injury is the act of deliberately harming body tissue, at times to change a way of feeling.

For Providers

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a cognitive-behavioral treatment developed by Marsha Linehan, PhD and her team at the University of Washington. It has two key components: a behavioral, problem-solving focus…

For Providers

Alternatives for Families – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT)

Alternatives for Families: a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT, formerly called “Abuse-Focused CBT”) is a trauma-informed evidence-based treatment (EBT) designed to improve the relationships between children and caregivers in families involved…

Facts, Figures, and Research

National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence (2014)

The U.S. Department of Justice funded a series of three comprehensive national surveys called the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence (NatSCEV) in 2008, 2012, and 2014. The survey…

Facts, Figures, and Research

The Impact of Neglect on Child Development

Severe neglect appears to be at least as great a threat to child health and development as physical abuse. Learn more about how neglect impacts child development.

For Parents & Caregivers

Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate

The Office of the Child Advocate monitors and evaluates public and private agencies that are charged with the protection of children, and reviews state agency policies and procedures to ensure…

For Parents & Caregivers

FindTreatment.gov (SAMHSA)

FindTreatment.gov is a comprehensive online directory of substance use and mental health treatment providers and facilities across the U.S. Maintained by the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services' Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

For Providers

Yale Center for Traumatic Stress and Recovery (YCTSR)

From the YCTSR website: The multi-disciplinary team of the Yale Center for Traumatic Stress and Recovery (YCTSR) provides trauma-informed treatments and services to children and families, builds professional knowledge through…

For Parents & Caregivers

Outpatient Psychiatric Clinics for Children in Connecticut

Connecting to Care CT maintains regional lists of Outpatient Psychiatric Clinics for Children (OPCCs) and other community-based children's behavioral health services in Connecticut.

Links - National Organizations

Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

The Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress (CPTS) at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia addresses medical trauma in the lives of children and families. Their “After the Injury” site “helps parents…

For Providers

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a parent-child treatment program that helps parents of children aged 2-7 years old with common behavioral problems (aggression, non-compliance, defiance, and temper tantrums). PCIT focuses…

For Providers

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Adapted from the EMDR Institute Website: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are…

For Parents & Caregivers

Child First

Child First, developed in CT but now a national model, is an innovative evidence-based model which effectively decreases emotional and behavioral problems, developmental and learning problems, and abuse and neglect…

For Providers

National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)

The mission of the NCTSN is to raise the standard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the United States. Find research,…

FAQs

Do young children remember traumatic events?

Trauma refers to an overwhelming, unanticipated danger or event that cannot be mediated or processed by the individual. Traumatic events are a direct threat to a person’s wellbeing. When confronted…

FAQs

What are some effective treatments available to help my child with traumatic stress?

Treatments that research shows can reduce child traumatic stress are called “evidence-based treatments”. There are many evidence-based treatments available in many states through qualified mental health professionals and agencies. Please…

FAQs

Where can a parent/caregiver get support or help dealing with child traumatic stress?

There are many resources both nationally and locally (CT) to help parents and caregivers cope and find treatment for childhood traumatic stress. One great resource is called Get Help Now,…

FAQs

What is a Trauma Screening or Assessment?

A child’s primary care doctor can conduct a short trauma history for the child, or your child can be screened directly by a mental health specialist. Screenings are completed by the…

FAQs

Do I have to get help for my child who shows signs and symptoms of traumatic stress?

In some cases child traumatic stress symptoms may or may not meet the criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Children can show their PTSD symptoms differently than adults. These PTSD…

FAQs

What questions should I ask my doctor?

It is important to talk with your primary care doctor about your child’s symptoms to help you determine if your child’s symptoms are unusual or worrisome and if you should…

FAQs

What are the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children?

Symptoms of PTSD in children (also referred to more broadly as “childhood traumatic stress”) typically fall into four major categories: Traumatic Repetitions Traumatic play Play reenactment Nightmares Flashbacks and dissociation…

FAQs

How can I help my child deal with his/her reaction to a traumatic event?

If you are concerned about your child, it is best if you consult a qualified mental health specialist who has been trained to work with traumatic stress reactions. If left untreated,…

FAQs

When should I worry about my child’s reaction to a traumatic event?

It is important to understand that most children will likely develop some stress reactions if they have been the victim of a traumatic experience. In many cases, some acute reactions…

FAQs

What is Childhood Trauma?

Trauma occurs when a child experiences an intense event that threatens or causes harm to his or her emotional and physical well-being. Some events are more likely to be traumatic…

FAQs

What are some reactions that my child may have after experiencing a traumatic event?

When children experience a traumatic event, they may react in both a psychological and physical way. Their heart rate may increase, and they may begin to sweat, to feel agitated,…