Simmons University

Institute for Trauma Treatment in Schools - the Institute for Trauma Treatment in Schools (ITTS) Aims to Bridge the Gap in Mental Health Disparities for Children Impacted by Trauma Through Expansion of the Capacity of the Current and Future School-based Mental Health Workforce via Online Training and Support. Far Too Many Children in the United States Endure One or More Adverse Childhood Experiences (aces), With a Significant Portion Having Inadequate Access to Treatment That Can Ameliorate the Effects of Trauma. Untreated Trauma in Children Can Result in Behavioral Problems, Poor Academic Performance, and Greater Risk for Depression, Anxiety, and Other Mental Health Diagnoses. Failure to Address Childhood Trauma Can Lead to Long-term Consequences Including Physical and Mental Health Challenges and Decreased Life Expectancy. Itts Will Provide the Opportunity for Children in Grades K-12 to Receive Care in the Place Where They Spend Most of Their Time Away From Home. Quality School-based Mental Health Care Is Especially Important Because Services Are Typically Provided at No-cost to Children (and Their Families), Thus Reducing a Major Barrier to Accessing Treatment. the Itts Project Staff Embrace Social Justice and Engage in Practices Which Support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. in Order to Provide Training to the Widest Audience Possible, Itts Will Offer Online Evidence-informed Training to MSW Students (pre-service) and Current Practitioners (in-service) Nationwide. Recruitment Strategies Will Outreach School-based Practitioners in Rural and Under-served Communities With the Goal of Providing Training to Those Who Serve Children Who May Not Otherwise Receive Adequate Care. Training Will Engage Participants in the Exploration and Implementation of Evidence-based Practices Including Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools, Bounceback for Classrooms, Trauma Systems Therapy, Core Concepts of Childhood Trauma, Trauma Sensitive Yoga, and Mindfulness. Itts Plans to Provide Training to 850 MSW Students and 900 Current School-based Practitioners, Who Could Potentially Have a Meaningful Impact on Thousands of Children Per Year, Given the Prevalence of Aces and Trauma Among America's School-aged Children. Training of Current School-based Practitioners Will Be Reinforced Through Professional Support Networks. to Determine the Effectiveness of Itts Training, Participants Will Complete Skill-based Knowledge Tests, Assessments of Self-efficacy, Standardized Assessments, and Satisfaction Surveys. Itts Is a Five- Year Collaborative Project Between Simmons University School of Social Work's Center for Innovation in Behavioral Health Education and Research and the Alliance for Inclusion and Prevention - Organizations With a Long History of Providing State-of-the-art Trauma Training in School-based Interventions.