Benchmarks recently completed implementation of the Standardized Assessment Protocol (SAP) in Burke, Rutherford, and Surry Counties, with a target population of children and youth involved in foster care.
The process implemented was specifically for children and youth ages four and older, with the goal of assisting the child and family’s access to a quality, evidence-informed trauma assessment. We refer to this assessment as the Benchmarks Trauma Intensive Comprehensive Clinical Assessment (TiCCA). The SAP process begins with a timely trauma screening to quickly identify a child’s trauma exposure and whether there is a need for further assessment. Once the need for further assessment is identified, we can begin the process of referring the child and family to a Benchmarks TiCCA, leading to the most appropriate diagnosis and course of treatment. This course of action extends beyond the typical mental and behavioral health assessment, as it takes into consideration the child’s social, emotional, and environmental needs as well.
The Benchmarks TiCCA assesses multiple domains of a child’s life and experiences to produce the most appropriate trauma-informed diagnosis and holistic recommendations. SAP also provides support within the DSS agency to increase trauma awareness and provides trauma-informed consultation. This piece of the work is accomplished through trauma trainings and co-location of the project coordinator who provides a trauma-informed lens in various situations.
Benchmarks was approached by Surry County Department of Social Services (DSS), who inquired about doing this work with children and families involved with In-Home Family Services (IHFS).
During their time implementing the SAP process with their Permanency Planning Team, Surry County DSS noted that the TiCCA and its holistic recommendations were very valuable and could ensure that children were placed in the most appropriate treatment model of care. Additional trauma training and well-rounded recommendations have helped both social workers and foster parents to develop effective strategies to maintain children in their current placements, leading to a reduction in the numbers of children having to be moved due to new or worsening behavioral issues.
Noticing these positive benefits, Surry County DSS believed that offering TiCCAs to families in IHFS would help to provide the best recommendations and supports for children and families, possibly preventing future foster care placement. For several months, Surry’s Program Manager advocated for TiCCAs to be offered to the IHFS population. Both Burke and Rutherford County DSSs asked at various points during their Permanency Planning project work if SAP could be done with their IHFS populations as well. Due to this continued advocacy, Benchmarks approached the NC Department of Health & Human Services grant liaison with a proposition to implement the SAP pilot with the IHFS population with several DSSes that had successfully exited their Permanency Planning teams to sustainability. Given that youth in IHFS have also experienced traumatic events and are at a high risk for trauma-related symptoms and thus behavioral health services, the decision as made to implement SAP for the children and youth who are involved with IHFS in Burke, Rutherford, and Surry Counties. Currently, the pilot is in the process of onboarding health plans who are interested in participating in this innovative work.
The SAP IHFS project is focusing on implementation of the standardized process, targeting children and youth who are referred to IHFS, with the goal of screening for trauma and for those who screen in for trauma symptoms or events, provide access to an evidence-informed standardized trauma assessment. We hope this process will assist families in becoming more equipped to heal from their trauma, and gain access to the most appropriate course of treatment and resources to help them reach their full potential. Providing the family with the right tools, starting with access a trauma screen and to the TiCCA, is our main goal. All involved partners want to prevent children from being removed from the home and help families strengthen natural supports to foster long-term resilience. We look forward to seeing how the IHFS progresses over the next two years!
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