DAYVILLE —– United Services was recently recognized for its high utilization of evidence-based programs for treating trauma and behavioral health in children.
The agency was recognized at the annual Healing Connecticut’s Children: The Trauma Focused Evidence- Based Practice Conference.
United Services Child Guidance Clinic was recognized as the agency with the most children receiving MATCH-ADTC (Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems) and as the new agency with the most active children receiving The Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI) in fiscal year 2018.
“United Services Child Guidance Clinic staff work every day to provide the children and families in our region with these critical, evidence-based interventions,” said Diane L. Manning, president and CEO of United Services. “We are proud to receive this statewide recognition of both the hard work of our staff and the tremendous need for services for children and families in our area.”
United Services, Inc. is a nonprofit, comprehensive behavioral health center, offering more than 30 mental health, addiction and social service programs for children, adults and families, including the region’s only Child Guidance Clinic. The agency has clinical centers in Dayville, Willimantic and Wauregan as well as additional community program locations.
MATCH-ADTC is an evidence-based treatment for children ages 6 to 15 designed for multiple disorders and problems, including anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress, as well as disruptive conduct such as the problems associated with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). MATCH-ADTC includes components of cognitive behavior therapy, parent training, coping skills, problem solving, and safety planning. United Services began providing MATCH-ADTC in 2017.
The Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI) is an acute evidence-based intervention for families with children ages 7 to 18 who have either recently experienced a potentially traumatic event or have recently disclosed the trauma of physical or sexual abuse. CFTSI aims to reduce early posttraumatic stress symptoms, to decrease the likelihood of traumatized children developing long-term posttraumatic psychiatric disorders, and to assess children’s need for longer term treatment. United Services began providing CFTSI in 2016.
MATCH-ADTC and CFTSI are the newest evidence-based programs for United Services Child Guidance Clinic. The agency also provides Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), for children and adolescents impacted by trauma and their parents or caregivers. All Child Guidance staff are trained in at least one of the three interventions.