Special to IFN
RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services announced a $4.5 million investment in the N.C. Child Treatment Program, a statewide initiative to train mental health providers in trauma-informed treatment models for children with complex behavioral health needs.
NCDHHS is investing to expand access to proven behavioral health treatments so young people and their families receive the support they need sooner, and in the communities where they live and learn.
The investment is part of the department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the child behavioral health workforce and build a continuum of services to improve outcomes for children and families.
“As we work to transform the child behavioral health system in North Carolina, we’re not only investing to increase access to services but to improve the quality of treatment available to children and families,” said NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “We’re training more clinicians statewide to provide effective, evidence-based treatment with high standards so that children have access to the best possible care in their communities.”
The NC Child Treatment Program trains mental health professionals and community agencies in a range of evidence-based treatment models shown to prevent the escalation of behavioral health symptoms by providing effective, timely and trauma-informed intervention. Demonstrated outcomes of treatment include a reduction in symptoms related to depression, suicidal thoughts, post-traumatic stress and other behavioral challenges.
In the first year of this investment, the number of clinicians and community agencies trained in existing and new clinical models through the program will increase by 96 percent.
“We have amazing caregivers and community professionals in our state who are committed to supporting our youth,” said NCDHHS Director of Child and Family Strategy Hanaleah Levy Hoberman. “This is especially important when a young person experiences a behavioral health challenge that may otherwise prevent them from succeeding at home, in school or in their community. That’s why we’re investing to expand treatments that work with families and schools along with the child.”
The N.C. Child Treatment Program is part of the Center for Child and Family Health (CCFH), which specializes in treating and preventing child traumatic stress and is a key partner in NCDHHS’ work to expand access to trauma-informed services. The department is contracting with CCFH to introduce new models into the program’s training curriculum and to extend the program to rural and underserved communities for more equitable access to services across the state.
“The North Carolina Child Treatment Program has been at the heart of the work of CCFH since 2014,” said Robert Murphy, executive director of CCFH. “The investment of $4.5 million from NCDHHS will ensure that many more children and families, especially children living in rural areas of our state, will have access to cutting-edge treatments.”
NCDHHS’ investment focus includes the following models, in addition to other select evidence-based treatments effective for children and families:
♦ Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) – A trauma-informed intervention for youth experiencing symptoms or behavioral challenges related to trauma, with active involvement from the child’s caregiver(s) to support long-term family healing.
♦ Cognitive Behavioral Interview for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) – A school-based service to address symptoms of traumatic stress for elementary through high school students.
♦ Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) – A tailored treatment for teenagers and caregivers navigating the impact of trauma and post-traumatic stress, often provided in an outpatient setting to help children remain at home or return home quickly.
♦ Problematic Sexual Behavior Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PSB-CBT) – Group or family therapy that addresses a child’s difficulty recognizing socially acceptable boundaries for physical or sexual behavior. Most participants are successfully treated through outpatient services, avoiding the need for out-of-home placement.
In addition to training, CCFH will use the funding to provide enhanced consultation for agencies and clinicians to ensure fidelity to evidence-based models. The organization also offers implementation guidance on best practices for evidence-based treatments, helping ensure providers can maintain high quality of practice and services.
NCDHHS’ investment in the NC Child Treatment Program is part of a broader commitment to build an integrated behavioral health system for children in North Carolina. Of the historic $835 million allocated for behavioral health in the 2023 state budget, $80 million is dedicated to improving outcomes for children with complex behavioral health needs and their families. The department continues to invest in a spectrum of services — in homes, schools, communities and residential settings — that expand equitable access to high-quality, trauma-informed, family-centered care.
LEARN MORE
To help families and care managers find and access behavioral health services, CCFH maintains a statewide roster of NC Child Treatment Program providers. To access the roster and learn more about the program’s therapy models, visit ncchildtreatmentprogram.org.