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SAN DIEGO, CA

County of San Diego—Health and Human Services Agency
6950 Levant Street
San Diego CA 92101
858.581.5813

Purpose
To implement a cross-system, countywide process for delivering evidence-informed and child-focused interventions that effectively assess and treat children from 3-8 years of age who are victims of violence and their families.

Interventions
Assessment-Based Treatment for Traumatized Children: A Trauma Assessment Pathway (TAP): This model is an assessment framework for understanding traumatized children and making informed clinical decisions that enable clinicians to gain an in-depth understanding of children, their developmental levels, their traumatic experiences, and the family, community, and cultural systems in which they live. This information assists the clinician in making effective decisions throughout the treatment process.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Treatment Model: This model is a therapeutic approach for children who have had one or more traumas and are demonstrating symptoms of post-traumatic stress. The therapist meets with the child each week before meeting with the parent/caregiver to teach methods for helping the child at home. The therapy includes education about trauma and common reactions, help with parenting and behavior problems, information about relaxation and stress management, and other strategies.

Case management: A child protection worker coordinates case planning and management services that include family assessment, safety planning, family advocacy, parenting classes, and referrals to community-based and other services. In addition, a child advocate for case planning helps the family with child-focused safety planning, provides linkages to support services for the child, assists with problem solving, and supports the primary caregiver. Monthly clinical case consultation meetings are used to review progress and plan follow-up.

Capacity building: To institutionalize an improved response to children exposed to violence and their families, the project builds the capacity of agencies, systems, and professionals interacting with children through a county-wide community conference, regional inter-agency and community training, and specialized training focused on identifying, treating, and preventing/reducing exposure to violence.

Promising or Evidence-Based Practices
Assessment-Based Treatment for Traumatized Children: A Trauma Assessment Pathway (TAP): Ryan, B. Gilbert, N. Mann, G. (Developers) Chadwick Center for Children and Families Trauma Counseling Program, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA. http://www.chadwickcenter.org/Assessment-Based%20Treatment.htm

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children and Adolescents: Cohen, J., Mannarino, A., Berliner, L., and Deblinger, J. (2000). An Empirical Update. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 15(11), 1202-1223.