This Web site is a component of the SAMHSA Health Information Network
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Trauma Matters – March 2008The e-Newsletter from CMHS' National Center for Trauma-Informed Care
Dare to TransformOnly four months until the Dare to Transform Forum in Washington, DC! If you are planning to submit a workshop or poster session proposal or H.O.P.E. Award application, the deadline is quickly approaching on March 14, 2008. Applicants will be notified by April 15 if their submitted proposal will be highlighted in a workshop or in a poster session. Already, we have received a broad array of innovative proposals that feature trauma-informed care approaches for diverse populations. In these proposals, both the vitality of the programmatic initiatives that are underway and the transferability of a range of TIC applications in very different settings is most impressive. You won't want to miss this opportunity to learn about promising practices while networking with peers from across the country. In addition to these attractions, participants in the Dare to Transform Forum will be invited to join in a new networking initiative that should help to spur very transformative change. Stay tuned. Remember to save the date - July 11-12, 2008 - and watch for registration information in the coming weeks. Trauma Informed Care through a Trauma Informed Approach - Trauma Recovery and Empowerment ModelFrequently, mental health models are developed from a theoretical perspective. Once developed, they are applied and refined in a real world setting. The Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM) is different. Developed over a five year period and with the involvement of over 27 clinicians and more than 500 participants, TREM evolved from real need and participation according to Roger D. Fallot, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and Director of Research and Evaluation at Community Connections. "TREM works well because it was developed from scratch, with lots of feedback. It grew out of the need and participation of those in need." TREM (developed specifically for women) and M-TREM (developed specifically for men) are 24- to 29-session group interventions, supported with manuals, for survivors of trauma who have substance use or mental disorders. The model draws on cognitive-behavioral, skills training, and psycho-educational techniques to address recovery and healing from sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. Recognizing the significant differences between individuals and groups of individuals, these models are notably different from many others:
The Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model is a dynamic trauma-informed approach intended for trauma survivors, particularly those with exposure to physical or sexual violence. This model has been implemented in mental health, substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, and criminal justice settings. The flexibility and uniqueness of the model lends itself successfully to a full range of disciplines. Community Connections provides manuals, training, and ongoing consultation in TREM and M-TREM. For more information, visit www.ccdc1.org. Roger D. Fallot, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and Director of Research and Evaluation at Community Connections, a private, not-for-profit agency providing a full range of human services in the District of Columbia. A graduate of Yale University (B.A., M.S., and Ph.D.), his professional areas of specialization include the development and evaluation of services for trauma survivors and the role of spirituality in recovery. Dr. Fallot will be a featured speaker at NCTIC's Dare to Transform summit in July 2008. For more information contact: nctic@abtassoc.com. Brief Report: Culture Rights and Tradition - Health Issues for African Women in the United StatesOn February 19, 2008, CMHS's National Center for Trauma Informed Care (NCTIC), in collaboration with the DHHS Office of Women's Health (OWH), held an expert resource discussion on female genital cutting/circumcision (FGC). The meeting was designed to help better understand the trauma-related needs and concerns of circumcised African women and girls in the United States and specifically to address the lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate services and resources available to address trauma, counseling, and other needs for circumcised women and girls. Over 20 representatives from community-based organizations, the federal government, and CMHS-related programs attended the meeting. Topics of discussion included examples of domestic activity, discussions of education and outreach programs, examples of emerging international issues that impact domestic activity, and descriptions of diverse ethnic and culturally relevant means to address the practice. The group also discussed the diverse community and ethnic decisions to engage in the practice and authentic validation of the social, political, and economic reasons as potential drivers of the practice. The overall approach supported by the participants was a partnership with communities and a "no wrong back door approach" to address the practice. This concept arose because for many practicing groups, the practice is not the primary issue for which they might connect with a community service provider. It might be housing, lack of food, health issues, or employment. Addressing the practice in isolation risks alienation.Participants mutually plan to share presentations in upcoming conference and meeting venues, and to continue networking to stay informed of emerging trends, activities, and resources that may evolve over time and that warrant a shift in education, outreach, and strategies to implement a culturally relevant trauma-informed approach to respective communities. Education and outreach to providers, service-oriented professions at state and federal levels, and other audiences that may encounter women's health related issues regarding the practice (directly or indirectly) are also encouraged to continue as cultural and societal transformation continues in the United States and globally. Author: CDR Wanda Finch, Public Health Advisor, CMHS/Community Support Programs Branch Self-Soothing - Using Your Senses to Feel BetterWhen Kristy started therapy five months ago, the center she goes to was pretty sterile. A quiet waiting room, tile floors and the room where she met her therapist had two chairs, a box of tissues, and little else. This was the place, however, where Kristy was trying to address some of her deepest pain stemming from early childhood abuse. While Kristy felt that she connected with her therapist well, she never really felt fully comfortable in this "therapeutic environment." Today, the center has transformed into a trauma-informed environment that supports and teaches self-soothing. There is soft music playing in the waiting room, lavender aroma that scents air, interesting artwork on the walls, and stress-relieving toys like squeeze stress balls to have a positive impact on how consumers and survivors feel as they work through the healing process. Self-soothing focuses on sensory inputs by encouraging the survivor to be mindful of what they are experiencing physically, while trying to steer clear of impulse reactions, feelings, troubling thoughts. It is an approach that sets specific steps to remain calm when in an anxious or triggering situation so that greater self understanding can take place. By taking this approach, when consumers and survivors are triggered or stressed, they can use their sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell to remain grounded instead coping in other ways like self-medicating. Techniques that can help include listening to music, taking a hot shower (which also can be helpful with individuals experiencing sleep problems), aromatherapy, beanbag tapping, wearing weighted blankets or vests, chewing on hard foods like carrots or hard candy, brushing skin softly, hand crafting, and nurturing pets. Traditional stress management techniques such as relaxation, meditation, and deep breathing are also commonly promoted. Survivors can find self-soothing experiences calming, alerting, and grounding. For Kristy, the change at her therapist's office not only had a positive effect on her sessions, but it provided the opportunity to learn skills that helped her to cope with the stressors that come up in everyday life. "I'm much more in tune with what is going on with me and what I can do to help the way I feel. I feel that I have some control over what happens with me and within me - and that's a great feeling." Leaders in Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Services ConveneThe first meeting of the National Leadership Forum for Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Services was convened on February 26, 2008, in Washington, DC. The National Leadership Forum (NLF) was organized to foster the creation of new partnerships and products to expand access to comprehensive and appropriate services for justice-involved individuals with mental illness, stimulate innovative thinking about effective collaboration between behavioral health and criminal justice professionals at the state and local level, advocate for effective policy and legislation, and improve related practices. These goals reach beyond previous efforts to examine diversion and reentry programming by addressing one of the most common barriers to success-the lack of quality services that are accessible and appropriate in helping individuals work toward recovery and remain out of the criminal justice system. NLF members also proposed strategies for achieving these goals through an annual State of the Field report. This initiative is supported by the Center for Mental Health Services and coordinated by the CMHS National GAINS Center through the CMHS Transformation Center. The National Council for Community Behavioral Health is the lead partner on the NLF. A second forum is planned for June 2008. Final Call for Dare to Transform Workshop Proposals and PostersThe National Center for Trauma-Informed Care is still accepting proposals for the Dare to Transform meeting taking place on July 11-12, 2008 at the Phoenix Park Hotel in Washington, DC. The 2-day learning exchange and networking transformation forum aims to highlight useful and practical strategies for moving forward together with the implementation of trauma-informed care in organizations, programs, and services. If you have a model or promising program, or are involved in a demonstration of trauma-informed care implementation, we want to hear from you! Please focus proposals on the implementation of trauma-informed care (TIC) in various systems and services. Proposals should be no longer than two pages and should describe the TIC approach, successes, barriers, uniqueness of the approach, and how others can benefit from your work. Proposals should also include a bio or resume from the presenter or presenters, along with affiliation and contact information. Please submit proposals to nctic@abtassoc.com by no later than March 14, 2008. Final Call for HOPE Award ApplicationsH.O.P.E. - Healing Ourselves through Promises of Empowerment The National Center for Trauma-Informed Care deadline for H.O.P.E. Award nominations is March 14, 2008. Award winners will be featured at the Dare to Transform meeting taking place on July 11-12, 2008 at the Phoenix Park Hotel in Washington, DC. Click here for eligibility requirements and application. (PDF, 166KB - you must have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file.) Calendar of Events2008 March 13-16 March 18-20 March 26-30 July 11-12 |
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