TiCCA Train the Trainer Training

Two major components of implementation work are ensuring fidelity and sustainability. Benchmarks’ Standardized Assessment Protocol (SAP) focuses on fidelity when implementing the use of Trauma-Intensive Comprehensive Clinical Assessments (TiCCAs) through a rigorous training and certification process as well as ongoing continuous quality improvement processes. The project also focuses on the sustainability of TiCCA completion in local communities after Benchmarks is no longer providing full-time implementation support. One of the ways that SAP has built sustainability into the project is by developing a TiCCA Train-the-Trainer Training. By developing this training, Benchmarks aims to ensure that TiCCA providers will be able to maintain their capacity for completing TiCCAs. As we know, turnover in clinical and human services fields occurs regularly, and it is imperative for mental health agencies to continue to provide quality assessments for children in foster care even when they experience this turnover. Since Benchmarks only offers TiCCA training a few times a year, the team decided to build additional capacity into the project by training the current Clinical Team Leaders in TiCCA agencies to train their staff.  

In May of this year, the Benchmarks’ Clinical Coach and Benchmarks staff conducted the first TiCCA Train-the-Trainer Training for the Clinical Team Leaders of participating SAP mental health agencies. Clinical Team Leaders from Rockingham County Youth Services, Support Inc., and Youth Villages received the information and tools to train future TiCCA clinicians in their agencies. The Clinical Team Leaders learned that not only is it hard to learn how to complete TiCCAs, but training TiCCAs brings a whole new level of complexity. This process included a thorough review of each section of the TiCCA, as well as an in-depth review of the five standardized measures that are utilized during the assessment process and how to train clinicians in their use. Each Clinical Team Leader went through the process of teaching back TiCCA training activities and material to the group. They received feedback on their teachbacks regarding how they conveyed the material. Gathering the Clinical Team Leaders together allowed them to brainstorm creative ways that they plan to teach TiCCAs, as well as the overall goals of SAP, to new clinicians. We are excited to provide the SAP Clinical Team Leaders the tools and competencies to maintain their TiCCA clinician capacity so that they may continue to meet the local assessment needs of their local Departments of Social Services.