National Child Traumatic Stress Network receives funding for Terrorism and Disaster Branch

Citation

(2003), "National Child Traumatic Stress Network receives funding for Terrorism and Disaster Branch", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 12 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/dpm.2003.07312eab.007

National Child Traumatic Stress Network receives funding for Terrorism and Disaster Branch

National Child Traumatic Stress Network receives funding for Terrorism and Disaster Branch

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) recently formed the Terrorism and Disaster Branch, thanks to a $1.8 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services. The NCTSN’s purpose is to improve the quality, effectiveness, provision, and availability of therapeutic services delivered to all children and adolescents experiencing traumatic events. The network currently comprises 37 centers and is being funded by the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services, through a congressional mandate, the Donald J. Cohen National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative, which took effect 3 October 2001.

The new Terrorism and Disaster Branch will work to enhance national capacity to provide mental health care for traumatized and bereaved children and families following mass casualty events. It will partner with governmental and local systems to promote comprehensive, coordinated mental health preparedness and care as well as ensure the availability of effective mental health intervention and treatment. The branch will provide guidance, assistance, and technical support; contribute to efforts to train a wide range of caregivers and service providers; and disseminate up-to-date information for families and policy makers.

The work of network members ranges across settings, disciplines, age groups, and trauma types, and delivers services to large numbers of children and their families. The network is made up of three components:

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  National Center for Child Traumatic Stress. Designated to lead the NCTSN, the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and the Duke University School of Medicine are running the center jointly.

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  Intervention Development and Evaluation Centers. Charged with identifying, supporting, and improving treatment and service approaches for different types of child and adolescent traumatic events.

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  Community Treatment and Services Centers. Will implement and evaluate effective treatment and services in community settings; collect clinical data on traumatized children receiving treatment; develop expertise related to effective practices, financing, and other service issues; and provide leadership and training on child trauma for service providers in the community and staff in a range of child service sectors.

Further information about this effort can be obtained from NCTSN, University of California--Los Angeles, 11150 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 770, Los Angeles, CA 90064; Tel: (310) 235-2633; Fax: (310) 235-2612; or NCCTS Duke University, 905 West Main Street, Suite 22, Durham, NC 27701; Tel: (919) 687-4686; Fax: (919) 687-4737. Program and funding questions should be directed to the Program Office of the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative, Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, Parklawn Building, Room 17C-26, Rockville, MD 20857; Tel: (301) 443-2940. Online information about the network can be found at www.nctsnet.org

(Natural Hazards Observer, Vol. XXVIINo. 6, July 2003)