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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 20h

Free, self-paced, and web-based Trauma ScreenTIME courses give child-serving professionals evidence-based tools to spot traumatic stress in kids and connect them to support. Eligible learners can also receive CE credits! Learn more: loom.ly/jGexSz8 #TraumaScreening

Evidence-Based Practices, Explained: What is Trauma ScreenTIME (Triage, Inform, Mitigate, Engage)?

Free training to help staff in child-serving systems learn best practices for trauma screening ➡️

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 01/10/2026

Looking to make a meaningful and lasting impact for Connecticut's schools? You can work at one of the "Best Places to Work in Connecticut" while enhancing mental health programming for students statewide! 🔗 Learn more and apply: loom.ly/Z6GdoEY #CTJobs #CareersInConnecticut

We're hiring! Project Coordinator, School Mental Health.

This role will manage project activities and support the development, implementation, and sustainability of CHDI’s school mental health initiatives. Responsibilities include coordinating with schools, state agencies, and community partners; recruiting and supporting schools in program participation; developing trainings for the school mental health workforce; overseeing deliverables and more.

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 28/09/2026

🫵 Your feedback matters! Take our survey and tell us how we can make our communications more relevant, timely, and useful: loom.ly/YDJOjT0 As a thank you, 20 recipients will be randomly selected to win a $25 Visa gift card! #ChildrensBehavioralHealth

Better Together Starts With You!

Complete our audience survey and be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Visa gift card. Respond by October 9, 2026, to enter the drawing.

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 25/09/2026

Around 1 in 4 children will witness or experience trauma. They're in classrooms, on buses, or in after-school clubs. Our free ScreenTIME Schools Course offers the tools to identify and support students struggling with trauma exposure: loom.ly/cSk3uk8 #TraumaScreenTIME

Trauma ScreenTIME Schools Course, developed by the Child Health and Development Institute

You don't have to guess which students are struggling. Trauma screening gives schools the answer. Learn to:
• Develop or select a screening measure for your school
• Apply best practices in conducting trauma screening
• Effectively share the results with kids and families
• Create a plan for long-term sustainability

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 24/09/2026

Are you passionate about supporting children and families impacted by trauma and substance use? We're growing our team! ➡️ Learn more and apply: loom.ly/Z6GdoEY #CTJobs #CareersInConnecticut #ChildrensBehavioralHealth

We're hiring!

Senior Project Coordinator & Project Coordinator for Project BRIDGE

These roles will support data collection, research, training development, and more for Project BRIDGE (Building Recovery through Trauma-Informed Detection, Guidance, and Early Intervention), a five-year SAMHSA-funded project focused on expanding early identification of child trauma and developing a new brief intervention for trauma.

We're hiring!

Senior Project Coordinator & Project Coordinator for Substance Use & Co-occurring Disorders Initiatives

These roles will support CHDI's growing youth substance use and co-occurring disorder initiatives by focusing on evidence-based practice dissemination and quality improvement projects, including Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), as well as youth engagement, community health prevention, and early intervention.

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 23/09/2026

Happy #HispanicHeritageMonth! We're celebrating Hispanic and Latine researchers, clinicians, and educators whose early work in children's behavioral health laid the groundwork for equity nationwide. #HHM2026 #LatinxHeritage

Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15

3 Pioneers in Kids' Behavioral Health and Wellbeing ➡️

Antonia Pantoja, PhD, social worker and educator

Founder of ASPIRA, a nonprofit empowering Hispanic and Latine youth, and the first Puerto Rican woman to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom ➡️

George I. Sánchez, PhD, reformer and activist

Fought for educational equity, especially for Mexican-American youth, including highlighting bias in standardized intelligence testing ➡️

Martha E. Bernal, PhD, clinical psychologist

Leading researcher on conduct disorders and identity development in children, and the first Latina woman to receive a doctorate in the U.S.

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 17/09/2026

☀️🧺 Our annual staff picnic brought the team together for a day of good food, connection, and time in nature, from leisurely woodsy walks to competitive pickleball sessions. Grateful for our amazing team! #MeetTheTeam #StaffAppreciation

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 14/09/2026

Join a free 30-min session on CONNECT IV—a federally funded initiative helping CT schools strengthen behavioral health supports—and hear from schools already participating! Session 1: loom.ly/J6UGkNM Session 2: loom.ly/VN3iPcA #CTSchools

Connecting to Care CT Listen & Learn Sessions: Strengthen your school's behavioral health programming!

Join a session to learn about a free opportunity to enhance student behavioral health through the CONNECT IV initiative.
• Connection to community providers
• Financial incentives for completing grant activities
• Flexible participation options

Session 1: 9/23/2026 from 3:30 to 4:00 PM
Session 2: 9/29/2026 from 9:00 to 9:30 AM

Visit plan4children.com/calendar or click the link in the caption to register.

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 10/09/2026

📢 Passionate about CT students' success? Join the Trauma-Informed School Mental Health Task Force to shape statewide guidance, share best practices, and build trauma-informed school infrastructure. 💡 Learn more: loom.ly/pb3yeBs 🖥️ Zoom link: loom.ly/BY3qrJQ #CTSchools

Help guide the future: join the Trauma-Informed School Mental Health Task Force!

Next Zoom meeting: September 22, 2026, from 9 AM to 10 AM.

Get the link at plan4hchildren.com/calendar or contact CHDI co-chair Rosie Breindel (rbreindel@chdi.org) to learn more.

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 08/09/2026

9/8 is #988Day! 📞 Call for any reason, big or small 🤝 Get help for a friend or loved one 🗣️ Interpreters in 240+ languages 🇺🇸 Available in all US states & territories Call, text, or chat 24/7. Learn more: 988lifeline.org #988Lifeline #Dial988 #SuicidePrevention

9/8 is 988 Day. Call, text, or chat 988, 24/7.

The 988 Lifeline is a national hotline for all ages offering one-on-one support for behavioral health or substance use concerns, whether you're in crisis or not.

Available in English and Spanish, with resources for Deaf or Hard of Hearing folks.

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 03/09/2026

📢 Don't miss your chance to register for the NECBHN Annual Conference on Tuesday, September 15th! CHDI is a proud sponsor of this event, and several staff members and board members will serve as panelists and facilitators. ➡️ Register here: loom.ly/yS7qDPs

New England Children's Behavioral Health Network Annual Conference: September 15, 2026.

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 02/09/2026

We were lucky to spend time with Gizmo, of the Gizmo 4 Mental Health Initiative, shortly before he passed. Though he was tiny, his impact on kids' mental health across CT was enormous. We extend our thanks and our condolences to Jen Adams, the driving force behind Gizmo's work ❤️

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 31/08/2026

📰 Our August newsletter is here! Explore these insights and more (and don't forget to subscribe!): loom.ly/vogaRfM #ChildrensBehavioralHealth #CTSchools #Connecticut #SchoolMentalHealth

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 27/08/2026

👋 We're excited to welcome our newest team member: Dr. Sayaka Awao! She will be splitting her fellowship between CHDI and conducting research at Yale Child Study Center. Please join us in welcoming her! #MeetTheTeam

CHDI Welcomes Sayaka Awao, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow

Sayaka holds a PhD in Developmental Psychology and brings a wealth of research experience in trauma-informed care and childhood grief to CHDI.

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 26/08/2026

#BackToSchool season is here! We've compiled free, high-quality school mental health resources in one place, so families, schools & providers can spend less time searching and more time helping kids thrive. 🍎 ✏️ Check it out on the blog: loom.ly/xnQVFyE #SchoolMentalHealth

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 20/08/2026

💡 Did you know most kids who get behavioral health services get them at school? #CBITS & #BounceBack are evidence-based tools that reduce trauma symptoms in students. Learn more: loom.ly/4uITCGw #SchoolMentalHealth

Evidence-Based Practices, Explained: What are Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) and Bounce Back (BB)?

School-based group interventions that help students recover from trauma exposure ➡️

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 18/08/2026

For too many kids, trauma follows them to school. Our latest EBP Annual Report shows how CBITS and Bounce Back are changing that—bringing trauma care right where kids already are. 📊 Read more about the impact in FY25: loom.ly/z9mZx3U #TraumaTreatment

CT's Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools and Bounce Back (CBITS/BB) Coordinating Center: Evidence-Based Practice Outcomes for Fiscal Year 2025

• 652 students received CBITS or BB through 87 CBITS groups and 76 BB Groups
• 1,575 students were screened for trauma exposure and associated symptoms
• 85% of children were satisfied with their treatment, and most showed PTSD symptom reduction
• 47 new clinicians were trained in CBITS and 35 were trained in BB

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 14/08/2026

Trauma in kids under 6 is easy to miss without the right skills. Early intervention can improve outcomes and reduce the need for later treatment. Trauma ScreenTIME Early Childhood Course teaches you to detect it in ages 0–6: loom.ly/jJXosJM #EarlyChildhood

Trauma ScreenTIME Early Childhood Course, developed by the Child Health and Development Institute. Free & self-paced online course.

• Learn trauma screening best practices for young children, aged 0-6
• Develop a sustainable screening process tailored to early childhood settings
• Discover how to use the results of trauma screening to support kids and families

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 07/08/2026

Trauma changes how kids form relationships, regulate emotions, and connect with the world around them. #ARC is built to address that. 👉 Learn more about the model: loom.ly/ewbCcSo #EvidenceBasedPractice #TraumaTreatment

What is ARC (Attachment, Regulation, and Competency)?

A flexible, components-based intervention for trauma survivors aged birth to 21 and their caregivers ➡️

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 05/08/2026

Back-to-school isn't always easy. This course gives anyone working with students practical strategies to help the ones who struggle to get to school. 2 CECs available, approved by NASW-CT! 📚 Take the course: loom.ly/DHfdypM #SchoolRefusal

School Refusal, a free & self-paced online course.

What clinicians and school-based professionals need to know to address school refusal:
• What school refusal is and why it occurs
• How to support caregivers in getting their child to school
• The individual and systemic issues impacting attendance
• Accommodations to assist students with attendance

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 31/07/2026

🗞️ July may be ending, but there's plenty to catch up on in this month's newsletter! Read it now and subscribe to stay in the loop on the latest CHDI updates: loom.ly/s85AOF4 #ChildrensMentalHealth #Connecticut

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 30/07/2026

Kids and families deserve behavioral health systems that respond to their needs, starting with a better #QualityImprovement process. Swipe to see how we help crisis services, young adult programs, and more set goals, build assessment measures, and evaluate what's really working. 👉

Our Process: Quality Improvement

Improving access, quality, and outcomes in children's behavioral health services ➡️

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 28/07/2026

New data from our FY25 annual report confirms that MATCH-ADTC is making a real difference for kids facing anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral problems! 📊 Dive into the details: loom.ly/QTo4i8k #MATCH #EvidenceBasedPractices

CT's MATCH-ADTC (Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Conduct Problems) Coordinating Center: Evidence-Based Practice Outcomes (Fiscal Year 2025):

• 663 Connecticut children received MATCH-ADTC
• 86% of children receiving MATCH-ADTC showed improvement on at least one assessment measure
• 89% of children who received MATCH-ADTC engaged in treatment by completing at least 4 sessions
• 60 new clinicians were trained in MATCH-ADTC, and 7 staff completed consultant training

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 23/07/2026

CHDI serves as Connecticut's Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Coordinating Center, supporting a network of 42 #TFCBT providers statewide. 📊 Want the full picture? Read our FY25 annual report: loom.ly/i0IoFbI #TraumaInformedCare

CT Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Coordinating Center, Evidence-Based Practice Outcomes from Fiscal Year 2025:

• 685 Connecticut youth received TF-CBT treatment, while 202 children received the related treatment Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC)

• 84% of children receiving TF-CBT exhibited improvement of one or more symptoms.

• 93% of caregivers reported high satisfaction with their child's TF-CBT treatment.

• 41 new clinicians were trained and 13 new staff became credentialied in TF-CBT.

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 21/07/2026

🎉 Our Students Supporting Students #PeerSupport program just wrapped up year 2, "creating waves" in four #CTSchools across Bristol, New Haven, and Lebanon. Peer teams learned to support classmates & fight mental health stigma. 📰 Read on: loom.ly/gdFqzO0

Student Supporting Students (Triple S), 2025-2026 School Year Outcomes:

• 4 participating schools
• 8 peer team advisors
• 61 peer team members
• 1,782 students trained in NAMI Ending the Silence
➡️

Students said...
• "[Triple S] created waves in the community."
• "Everyone [got involved], no matter their clique."
• "We made connections with other peer support groups, too."

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 17/07/2026

Parenting a child who's experienced trauma is hard. Trauma ScreenTIME equips child-serving staff to support the whole family. 🔗 Start with the Core Course: loom.ly/cvlDaNA #TraumaScreening #ChildhoodTrauma #ChildrensBehavioralHealth

"A parent told me that what they learned about trauma made a big difference in the parenting of their child." — Trauma ScreenTIME Core Course Participant

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 15/07/2026

Happy #DisabilityPrideMonth! 🖤❤️💛🤍💙💚🖤 At just 8 years old, Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins helped shape disability rights for the entire nation. Her story is a reminder that kids are powerful change agents! Swipe to learn more ➡️

Did you know? An 8-year-old's protest helped pass the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. Her name is Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins. ➡️

In March 1990, disability rights activists, including Jennifer, who has cerebral palsy, abandoned their mobility aids and crawled up the steps of the U.S. Capitol to protest the slow pace of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) becoming law. ➡️

In July 1990, the ADA was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, the reason Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July. This observance celebrates and recognizes all people with disabilities, not just physical ones. ➡️

Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins—still an activist today—showed us that age is no barrier to advocacy. At just 8 years old, she helped shape disability rights in America. Her story reminds us that kids play a powerful role in creating change.

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 14/07/2026

Data in action at our first-ever Data Walk! 🤝 Nearly 40 community members explored children's behavioral health data to find ways to improve outcomes for kids and families. Read more: loom.ly/Yqv0XOI #ChildrensBehavioralHealth

"We have so many thoughtful, caring people in the state who are willing to dig deep, ask hard questions, and do the hard work!" - Data Walk participant

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 09/07/2026

July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, so we're highlighting CT organizations serving BIPOC children & families and their work challenging inequity in behavioral health systems! #BIPOCMentalHealth

BIPOC Mental Health Month/Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Awareness Month: Organizations Supporting Children, Families, and Providers in Connecticut ➡️

Urban Trauma Provider Network: The UPTN connects children and families to providers of accessible, culturally responsive, and evidence-based behavioral health services in Connecticut's cities. ➡️

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) Health Services: MPTN Health Services offers programs that support Connecticut's Indigenous children and families, including a variety of social and behavioral health services. ➡️

The Center for Children's Advocacy: CCA works to reform systemic policies and practices in law enforcement, education, and the justice system that harm youth of color through its Racial Justice Project.

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 08/07/2026

The Children's Behavioral Health System Dashboard for #Connecticut is a living resource! We're building out our Social Drivers of Behavioral Health area, starting with income data. Bookmark it so you don't miss future updates: loom.ly/LBbUXmc #PublicHealth

How do socioeconomic factors affect children's behavioral health and access to care? ➡️

1 in 8 Connecticut children and adolescents lived in a household in 2024 in which their caregivers' income fell below the poverty line, with higher poverty rates among youth of color: 8.8% of White children, 16.2% of Multiracial children, and 27.7% of Black children. ➡️

Explore more data using the Children's Behavioral Health System Dashboard for Connecticut, linked in the caption.

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 07/07/2026

If you're a part of our state's children's behavioral health system, you know we need more providers. The System Dashboard has the data to help you make the case—for workforce programs, advocacy, or grants. 📈 Take a closer look: loom.ly/LBbUXmc #ChildrensBehavioralHealth

Are there enough behavioral health professionals to meet the current demand? ➡️

28,770 behavioral health providers hold licenses in Connecticut as of 2026—a number not exclusive to those working with kids. Most providers are LCSWs, and the fewest are CADCs. ➡️

22% of Connecticut high schoolers in 2025 reported getting the help they needed when feeling sad, empty, hopeless, angry, or anxious, which is fewer than in 2015-2021. ➡️

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) @chdi.org · 03/07/2026

Revising next year's school policies? The CT #ChildrensBehavioralHealth System Dashboard has data to help—one of the many ways it can support better outcomes for kids! Useful for school staff, providers, policymakers, and families alike. 🔗 loom.ly/LBbUXmc

What can youth-serving systems, like schools, tell us about how young people are doing? ➡️

17% of Connecticut youth were chronically absent during the 2024-2025 academic year, meaning they missed at least 10% of school days. This number has consistently gone down since 21-22. ➡️

548 Connecticut youth were arrested at school during the 2024-2025 academic year. This number is down from 21-22 and 22-23, but up from 23-24.

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