Products and Resources Catalog

In 2022, the MHTTC Network was asked to amplify and disseminate existing programming and resources related to school violence for the school mental health workforce (e.g., crisis intervention teaming, school violence trauma and grief response, cultural considerations for school violence), and develop responsive training and technical assistance to address additional needs identified. Through the MHTTC School Mental Health Initiative, we conducted an environmental scan and gap analysis, through which we aimed to 1) compile existing programming/resources on school violence, especially those developed by the MHTTCs and other SAMHSA-funded organizations; 2) identify the gaps that exist in school violence-related programming/resources available in the field; and 3) consider the development of new training, technical assistance activities, and/or resource(s) with a focus on addressing the gaps identified via the environmental scan and gap analysis. This summary highlights the findings from that work, including the free resources and resources lists, as well as organizations of interest that provide free resources, that were compiled through the environmental scan.

A major concern in school communities across the country is school violence. This symposium provides an overview of the MHTTC Network's School Mental Health Initiative, and highlights training and technical assistance (TA) that the MHTTC Network is leading on addressing school violence and school mental health. NOTE: This was originally presented at the 2023 Advancing School Mental Health Conference, hosted by the National Center for School Mental Health in New Orleans, LA.

Behavioral threat assessment was developed to prevent targeted attacks, such as school shootings. However, there are concerns about the use of threat assessment in schools, including as it relates to student mental health. This symposium by the MHTTC Network Coordinating Office and National Center for School Mental Health details results of a key informant roundtable, scoping review, and white paper that examine considerations for behavioral threat assessment, research outcomes, and recommendations for the future of behavioral threat assessment in schools. NOTE: This was originally presented at the 2023 Advancing School Mental Health Conference, hosted by the National Center for School Mental Health in New Orleans, LA.

    The Great Lakes MHTTC's training series, Applying Culturally Responsive and Trauma-Informed Care at the Intersection of Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health is now available in an online flipbook! Peruse this digital collection to access webinar recordings, practitioner resources, and evidence-based recommendations for providing culturally responsive and trauma-informed care to those experiencing mental illness and trauma as a result of intimate partner violence (IPV) and/or domestic violence (DV).       TRAINERS Cathy Cave, Senior Training Consultant, The National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health Cathy Cave has more than 30 years’ experience as an administrator, facilitator and consultant specializing in cultural inclusion, equity, anti-racism work and disparities elimination, trauma informed services and supports, organizational development, supervisory practice and leadership coaching within child welfare, juvenile justice, disaster response, health care, mental health, and substance use services. She is one of New York State’s early trauma champions, coordinating county collaboratives and clinical training trauma conferences. For the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health, Cathy is engaged in internal and external planning, development, and change initiatives. She provides in-person and virtual training, TA, and curriculum development supporting programs, coalitions, other technical assistance centers, governmental bodies and community-based organizations. Since 2012 as a Senior Training Consultant with NCDVTMH, she utilizes her survivor, family, community and administrative perspectives to facilitate organizational change to improve service quality at local, state and national levels.   Rachel Ramirez, LISW-S, RASS, Director of Health and Disability Programs and the Founder of The Center on Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury at The Ohio Domestic Violence Network Rachel Ramirez is the Director of Health and Disability Programs and the Founder of The Center on Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury at The Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN). In this role, she oversees several initiatives on the intersection of domestic violence, disability, and health access, with a focus on trauma-informed services and partner-inflicted brain injury. She also provides extensive statewide, national, and international training, consultation, technical assistance, and program support. Rachel has been with ODVN for 15 years and has co-authored several peer reviewed journal articles, as well as been featured on National Public Radio, The New York Times Magazine, and The Washington Post discussing brain injury and domestic violence.   Victoria “Tori” Wynecoop-Abrahamson, Training and Technical Assistance Manager at the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health Victoria “Tori” Wynecoop-Abrahamson (she/her) is a citizen of the Spokane Tribe located in Eastern Washington State and the Training and Technical Assistance Manager at the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health (NCDVTMH). She began her advocacy journey during her undergraduate career at Illinois College by establishing a sexual assault support group in response to the #MeToo movement. After graduation, she returned home to the Spokane Indian Reservation and worked as a Domestic Violence Advocate providing assistance to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, teen dating violence, stalking, and elder abuse. Assistance for survivors often included accessing resources for civil and criminal court cases, mental health support, and substance use services. This position encouraged Tori to pursue and complete a Master of Social Work at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. Prior to joining NCDVTMH, Tori provided SAMHSA-funded training and technical assistance to tribal communities and nations with a focus on building program capacity and sustainability in the areas of suicide prevention, substance use, and mental health.   Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW, CADC, Associate Director at the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health Gabriela Zapata-Alma is the Associate Director at the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health, as well as a Lecturer at the University of Chicago, where they direct the Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor Training Program. Gabriela brings over 15 years of experience supporting people impacted by structural and interpersonal violence and their traumatic effects through innovative and evidence-based clinical, housing, resource advocacy, peer-led, and HIV-integrated care programs. Currently, Gabriela authors best practices, leads national capacity-building efforts, and provides trauma-informed policy consultation to advance health equity and social justice.  

School violence, including school-based gun violence, is a major public health issue that has negative consequences for students, families, schools, and communities (Basile et al., 2020; Peterson et al., 2021). One approach that schools have adopted to address school violence is behavioral threat assessment (BTA). Based on a request from our funder, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), we developed a report on behavioral threat assessment and its intersection with youth mental health. This report aims to: Describe the problem of school violence and how BTA became a widely implemented school violence prevention strategy; Report on the current state of BTA implementation and its effectiveness; Discuss considerations for the fit and appropriateness of using BTA in schools; and Offer recommendations for schools, policymakers, funders, researchers, and SAMHSA on addressing BTA use in schools.

This resource seeks to guide Brazilian families residing in Massachusetts on the importance of recognizing what trauma is, learning about the different forms of violence, understanding how recovery strategies help to promote resilience, discussing stigma, and providing information about the network of services available to the Brazilian community. The guide is a result of a series of technical assistance requests to develop webinars, community conversations, and presentations at conferences about mental health, trauma, and recovery. It represents 4 years of collaboration between New England MHTTC and Federation for Children with Special Needs.  

ABOUT THIS RESOURCE Abstract Behavioral health professionals are charged with providing effective outpatient services while addressing patient and public safety, yet training in empirically-informed violence risk assessment strategies remains inaccessible. The authors developed and evaluated an online distance learning (ODL) course on clinical risk assessment targeting frontline providers and trainees in the United States. The ODL consisted of three modules: confidentiality, duty to third parties, and clinical assessment of violence risk. We evaluated the response characteristics and reach among different disciplines, as well as training satisfaction, change in knowledge, self-perceived competence, and self-reported impact on practice at six-week follow-up among 221 learners. Self-perceptions of competence and knowledge in the focal areas increased immediately after completing the training; self-perceived competence increased again by a significant margin at six-week follow-up. Participants reported a moderate-high positive impact of the training on practice. Kopelovich, S., Olson, J., Michaelsen, K., & Wasser, T. (2023). Effects of online distance learning on clinicians' violence risk knowledge and competencies. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. doi: https://doi.org/10.29158/JAAPL.230008-23 Terms of use and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) disclosure statement

***RECORDING***  (click the link below) Part 2: Invisible Injuries: The Complex Intersection of Domestic Violence, Behavioral Health, Traumatic Brain Injury and Strangulation   DESCRIPTION: The significant impact of domestic violence on a person’s behavioral health—including substance use and mental health conditions—has long been recognized by researchers and practitioners alike. In addition, the domestic violence movement has known for decades that abusers frequently assault their partners by targeting the head, neck, and face—through blows to the head that can cause traumatic brain injuries (concussions) and strangulation.  We are just discovering how that violence impacts the brain, and therefore a person’s health. Brain injury caused by domestic violence is rarely identified and almost never immediately treated, and results in short- and long-term physical, emotional, and cognitive consequences that can impact every area of a person’s life--including their ability to successfully access and participate in your agency's services. This session will share with you The Ohio Domestic Violence Network and The Ohio State University’s project and research that resulted in the creation of an evidence-based framework CARE (Connect, Acknowledge, Respond, Evaluate) and its accompanying CARE tools for you to use to address brain injury.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe the relationship between domestic violence and brain injury. Explain the evidence-based framework: Connect, Acknowledge, Respond and Evaluate (CARE). Promote CARE tools to address brain injury.     PRESENTER: Rachel Ramirez, LISW-S, RASS, is the Director of Health and Disability Programs and the Founder of The Center on Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury at The Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN). In this role, she oversees several initiatives on the intersection of domestic violence, disability, and health access, with a focus on trauma-informed services and partner-inflicted brain injury. She also provides extensive statewide, national, and international training, consultation, technical assistance, and program support. Rachel has been with ODVN for 15 years and has co-authored several peer reviewed journal articles, as well as been featured on National Public Radio, The New York Times Magazine, and The Washington Post discussing brain injury and domestic violence.     The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

***RECORDING*** (click the link below) Part 1: Invisible Injuries: The Complex Intersection of Domestic Violence, Behavioral Health, Traumatic Brain Injury and Strangulation   DESCRIPTION: The significant impact of domestic violence on a person’s behavioral health—including substance use and mental health conditions—has long been recognized by researchers and practitioners alike. In addition, the domestic violence movement has known for decades that abusers frequently assault their partners by targeting the head, neck, and face—through blows to the head that can cause traumatic brain injuries (concussions) and strangulation.  We are just discovering how that violence impacts the brain, and therefore a person’s health. Brain injury caused by domestic violence is rarely identified and almost never immediately treated, and results in short- and long-term physical, emotional, and cognitive consequences that can impact every area of a person’s life--including their ability to successfully access and participate in your agency's services. This session will share with you The Ohio Domestic Violence Network and The Ohio State University’s project and research that resulted in the creation of an evidence-based framework CARE (Connect, Acknowledge, Respond, Evaluate) and its accompanying CARE tools for you to use to address brain injury.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe the relationship between domestic violence and brain injury. Explain the evidence-based framework: Connect, Acknowledge, Respond and Evaluate (CARE). Promote CARE tools to address brain injury.     PRESENTER:   Rachel Ramirez, LISW-S, RASS, is the Director of Health and Disability Programs and the Founder of The Center on Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury at The Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN). In this role, she oversees several initiatives on the intersection of domestic violence, disability, and health access, with a focus on trauma-informed services and partner-inflicted brain injury. She also provides extensive statewide, national, and international training, consultation, technical assistance, and program support. Rachel has been with ODVN for 15 years and has co-authored several peer reviewed journal articles, as well as been featured on National Public Radio, The New York Times Magazine, and The Washington Post discussing brain injury and domestic violence.       The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

In this session of the 2022 ABC Summit, TEA's Shane Sexton discusses the ways that the Safe Schools Division is partnering with the Mental and Behavioral Health team to ensure that districts have the processes and resources to address student needs.   Download the slides

This resource contains a compendium of the Youth Gang curriculum that can help understand the Hispanic and Latino youth gang involvement and the context and implications for the mental health repercussions. This desk reference will include a quick look at the following topics: Mental Impacts of Gang Involvement Trauma and Stress Substance and Abuse and other Mental Effects Common Reasons for Gang Joining Geographic and Environmental Factors Push and Pull Factors Hispanic and Latino Identity Cultural Considerations when working with Latino Youth and Families Cultural Inclusive Approach Main Takeaways 

La violencia de pareja íntima (VPI) es un problema de salud pública grave y prevenible que afecta a millones de personas (CDC, 2019). El término “violencia de pareja” describe el daño físico, sexual o psicológico por parte de una pareja o cónyuge actual o anterior. Este tipo de violencia puede darse entre parejas heterosexuales o del mismo sexo. Los datos indican que las latinas experimentan tasas similares de violencia de pareja íntima (VPI) en comparación con las mujeres que no son latinas. Aproximadamente 1 de cada 3 latinas (34.4 %) experimentará VPI a lo largo de su vida y 1 de cada 12 latinas (8.6%) ha experimentado VPI en los últimos 12 meses, incluyendo violencia física y sexual, así como acoso. Este producto ofrece una guía para abordar consideraciones socioculturales y recomendaciones clínicas al evaluar y brindar servicios de salud mental a latinas que experimentaron IPV.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of individuals (CDC, 2019). Intimate partner violence describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples. Data indicate that Latinas experience similar rates of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) compared to non-Latinas. About 1 in 3 Latinas (34.4 %) will experience IPV during her lifetime, and 1 in 12 Latinas (8.6%) has experienced IPV in the previous 12 months, including physical and sexual violence and stalking. This product offers guidelines for addressing sociocultural considerations and clinical recommendations while assessing and providing mental health services to Latinas that experienced IPV. 

Let’s Talk about Intimate Partner Violence: Family-Centered Approaches for Domestic Violence: Keeping Survivors' and Children's Needs in Mind (Part 5) DESCRIPTION: This webinar will focus on the foundations of family-centered work with survivors and introduce the Family Centered Toolkit for Domestic Violence Programs. Discussion will include guidance for using the toolkit and strategies for supporting well-being, safety, and the bonds between survivors of intimate partner violence and their children.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe the importance of an integrated approach that supports parent-child relationships and families with a range of culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and developmentally sensitive services Discuss ways to use the Family Centered Tooklit for Domestic Violence Programs Explain strategies to support the wellbeing, and safety of IPV survivors and their children List accessible resources for DV advocates, program staff, and supervisors to enhance and sustain family-centered services within DV programs     PRESENTER: Cathy Cave, Senior Training Consultant, The National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health   Cathy Cave has more than 30 years’ experience as an administrator, facilitator and consultant specializing in cultural inclusion, equity, anti-racism work and disparities elimination, trauma informed services and supports, organizational development, supervisory practice and leadership coaching within child welfare, juvenile justice, disaster response, health care, mental health, and substance use services. She is one of New York State’s early trauma champions, coordinating county collaboratives and clinical training trauma conferences. For the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health, Cathy is engaged in internal and external planning, development, and change initiatives. She provides in-person and virtual training, TA, and curriculum development supporting programs, coalitions, other technical assistance centers, governmental bodies and community-based organizations. Since 2012 as a Senior Training Consultant with NCDVTMH, she utilizes her survivor, family, community and administrative perspectives to facilitate organizational change to improve service quality at local, state and national levels.       The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

Let’s Talk about Intimate Partner Violence: Overdose Prevention and Intimate Partner Violence–Unique Risks, Needs, and Strategies (Part 4)     DESCRIPTION: Being abused by an intimate partner can increase the risk of accidental overdose while at the same time isolating survivors from potential sources of safety. Additionally, the stigma and criminalization of substance use is often leveraged by unsafe partners to further abuse and control survivors, increasing the risk of harm, marginalization, and overdose. This session will provide an overview of overdose risk factors and how they intersect with intimate partner violence and substance use coercion, as well as how to tailor evidence-based overdose prevention strategies to better support survivors.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Identify main overdose risk factors in survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Explain the intersections between IPV and substance user coercion. Describe evidence-based overdose prevention strategies for IPV survivors.     PRESENTER: Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW, CADC, is the Associate Director at the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health, as well as a Lecturer at the University of Chicago, where they direct the Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor Training Program. Gabriela brings over 15 years of experience supporting people impacted by structural and interpersonal violence and their traumatic effects through innovative and evidence-based clinical, housing, resource advocacy, peer-led, and HIV-integrated care programs. Currently, Gabriela authors best practices, leads national capacity-building efforts, and provides trauma-informed policy consultation to advance health equity and social justice.     The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

Let’s Talk about Intimate Partner Violence: Working at the Intersections of Substance Use and Intimate Partner Violence–What Every Provider Needs to Know (Part 3)     DESCRIPTION: It has long been recognized that abuse by an intimate partner can have traumatic mental health and substance use effects. Research has found high rates of both past and current intimate partner violence (IPV) among people in substance use disorder and mental health care settings. A growing body of evidence has found that abuse is often targeted at a partner’s substance use and mental health in deliberate attempts to undermine and control survivors and keep them from achieving their recovery goals. These forms of abuse, known as substance use coercion and mental health coercion, not only jeopardize the well-being of survivors and their children, but also compromise the effectiveness of mental health and substance use disorder treatment. This session will clarify the relationship between IPV and substance use, as well as prepare participants to increase awareness of and better support survivors experiencing substance use coercion.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe ways of substance use coercion. Explain how substance use and mental health coercion influence in the effectiveness of treatment. Identify how clinicians can support individuals that experienced substance user coercion.     PRESENTER: Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW, CADC, is the Associate Director at the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health, as well as a Lecturer at the University of Chicago, where they direct the Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor Training Program. Gabriela brings over 15 years of experience supporting people impacted by structural and interpersonal violence and their traumatic effects through innovative and evidence-based clinical, housing, resource advocacy, peer-led, and HIV-integrated care programs. Currently, Gabriela authors best practices, leads national capacity-building efforts, and provides trauma-informed policy consultation to advance health equity and social justice.     The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.     Let’s Talk about Intimate Partner Violence: Integrating Culturally Responsive Approaches for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence within Mental Health Services and Organizations (Part 2)     DESCRIPTION: There is no question that the experience of domestic violence (DV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) is traumatic and, oftentimes, isolating. When survivors access services, this process can also be isolating, especially if those services are not culturally responsive. As mental health professionals, it is important to have an understanding of both the impacts of power and control dynamics as well as how social and cultural norms influence survivors’ and their families perceptions of these experiences. Service providers must be aware of how their biases may interfere with their ability to effectively engage with survivors. This session will define the core elements of culturally responsive services and identify examples of supportive approaches for survivors of DV and IPV.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Define culturally responsive services for DV and IPV survivors in mental health settings Identify at least two examples of culturally responsive approaches to support survivors of DV and IPV     TRAINING RECORDINGS: Check out the recording of the first session in this two-part series! Let’s Talk about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): Offering Accessible, Trauma-Informed, and Culturally Responsive Supports     SPEAKER:   Victoria “Tori” Wynecoop-Abrahamson (she/her) is a citizen of the Spokane Tribe located in Eastern Washington State and the Training and Technical Assistance Manager at the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health (NCDVTMH). She began her advocacy journey during her undergraduate career at Illinois College by establishing a sexual assault support group in response to the #MeToo movement. After graduation, she returned home to the Spokane Indian Reservation and worked as a Domestic Violence Advocate providing assistance to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, teen dating violence, stalking, and elder abuse. Assistance for survivors often included accessing resources for civil and criminal court cases, mental health support, and substance use services. This position encouraged Tori to pursue and complete a Master of Social Work at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. Prior to joining NCDVTMH, Tori provided SAMHSA-funded training and technical assistance to tribal communities and nations with a focus on building program capacity and sustainability in the areas of suicide prevention, substance use, and mental health.

The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.   Let’s Talk about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): Offering Accessible, Trauma-Informed, and Culturally Responsive Supports     DESCRIPTION: Domestic Violence can impact a survivor’s sense of physical and emotional safety, their overall health, their capacity to function in daily life, as well as their ability to successfully navigate the available support systems and resources that can help them. In this webinar we define and explore the impacts of  intimate partner violence (IPV) and the lasting effects of individual, historical, and collective trauma. The session 1 discussion will include information about how IPV specifically impacts mental health, substance use, parenting, and community connection.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Discuss the impact of intimate partner violence and traumatic events Explain how coervice control impacts mental health Learn about a framerwork focused on increasing support while providing cultural responsive and trauma-informed sevices     PRESENTER: Cathy Cave, Senior Training Consultant, The National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health   Cathy Cave has more than 30 years’ experience as an administrator, facilitator and consultant specializing in cultural inclusion, equity, anti-racism work and disparities elimination, trauma informed services and supports, organizational development, supervisory practice and leadership coaching within child welfare, juvenile justice, disaster response, health care, mental health, and substance use services. She is one of New York State’s early trauma champions, coordinating county collaboratives and clinical training trauma conferences. For the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health, Cathy is engaged in internal and external planning, development, and change initiatives. She provides in-person and virtual training, TA, and curriculum development supporting programs, coalitions, other technical assistance centers, governmental bodies and community-based organizations. Since 2012 as a Senior Training Consultant with NCDVTMH, she utilizes her survivor, family, community and administrative perspectives to facilitate organizational change to improve service quality at local, state and national levels.

This event was held on April 21st, 2022 from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. MT.  To access slide deck and other resources, click DOWNLOAD above CLICK HERE to view the recording Event Description According to the U.S. Department of Education: Guide for developing high-quality school emergency operations plans (2013), research shows that perpetrators of targeted acts of violence engage in both covert and overt behaviors preceding their attacks. They consider, plan, prepare, share, and in some cases, move on to action. One of the most useful tools a school or facility can develop to identify, evaluate, and address these troubling signs is to develop a systematic way to addressing threats. This training will help to protect the interest of those students or people involved in the incident and assist with follow through of aftercare.   Objectives Participants will gain knowledge on when and how to address a threat made by a student.  Participants will be taught how to evaluate the seriousness of a threat and what steps need to be taken.   Participants will gain resources and templates to utilize in evaluating threats made.  Participants will understand how to evaluate threats, who needs to be contacted, what needs to be documented   Participants will receive all necessary flowcharts and threat documentation and feel comfortable utilizing the documents and materials during a threat assessment through role-play and practice and rehearsal.  Trainers Leslie Baunach, MA/CAS, NCSP                     Leslie Baunach, NCSP, was a school psychologist with Oahu Central School District for over 10 years. She is currently the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Delegate for the state of Hawaii and a Delegate Representative for the West Region on the NASP Board of Directors. Leslie has previously served on the Hawaii Association of School Psychologists (HASP) board of directors as Treasurer and President, and has headed up the legislative platform for nine years, currently serving as the HASP legislative co-chair. Leslie serves as the Executive Director of the School Psychology Support Network, which supports school psychologists nationally. Leslie became a NASP PREPaRE trainer in 2015 and has conducted PREPaRE workshops for the Hawaii DOE, HASP, Northern Marianas Islands schools, and Punahou School in Honolulu.     Traci Effinger, NCSP                     Traci Effinger is a Nationally Certified School Psychologists who has worked for the Hawai`i Department of Education for over 10 years. Traci has worked from preschool to high school in her daily job as a School Psychologist in addition to responding to crisis events at all levels. Traci is co-author of Crisis manual for Central district and also co-chair of the Crisis Team. She Performs data collection, progress monitoring, and professional development trainings for her district and school staff. She is one of only two people that are NASP Certified PREPaRE 3rd Edition trainers within the state of Hawaii. Traci and her colleague trained the entire country of Saipan for the CNMI Project HALIGI AWARE in PREPaRE and also presented and trained entire Punahou School District on PREPaRE Workshops 1. Traci is also a presenter in various professional development topics and has most recently presented for the Afterschool Alliance coalition on social emotional learning, behavior management, and threat assessment

Latino communities have been impacted by quarantine and social isolation measures. These measures protect against COVID-19, but in turn, are risk factors for the increase in intimate partner violence (IPV). This factsheet presents cultural factors that differentiate the experiences of Latinas going through IPV compared to women from other cultural groups. Some of the factors include; immigration status, threats of deportation, level of acculturation, and difficulties in seeking the necessary help due to the stigma about receiving mental health services. At the same time, resources are offered such as the Family Preparedness Plan and other web pages dedicated to increasing support for Hispanics and Latinos who go through IPV.

  Trauma and Intimate Partner Violence Session recording Access Resources Using the Download Link Above This training session was provided to the Cass Clay YWCA team, and their partners, in response to a technical assistance request received by the Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (Mountain Plains MHTTC) and Mountain Plains Addiction Technology Transfer Center (Mountain Plains ATTC). Dr. Tami DeCoteau, PhD, provided a two-hour training exploring the impact of trauma on victims of intimate partner violence. This session discussed the definitions of trauma, examined the neurophysiology of trauma responses, and modeled best practices for supporting clients and patients who have experienced trauma and intimate partner violence.   To learn more about the work of the Cass Clay YWCA please visit: https://www.ywcacassclay.org/ 

Based on a framing that integrates social justice, diversity, and trauma-informed practices, this webinar will provide an overview of the impact of the intersection of structural inequities and the pandemic on children from zero to five years in Latin American families. Intimate partner violence will be addressed in this context, as well as its implications from the perspective of the young child, caregiver/parent, and attachment relationships. Support/intervention strategies based on relationship, development, and socio-cultural context will be discussed to promote security, stabilization, restoration of attachment relationships, and protective factors in these families. Considerations at the level of advocacy and public policy will also be discussed. A combination of teaching presentations, case vignettes, and group reflection will be used to discuss the material. Download slides here. Download the FAQ here. Speakers: Carmen Rosa Noroña, LICSW, MSW, MS. Ed., IECMH-E® (Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor-Clinical), is originally from Ecuador. For over 25 years, she has provided clinical services to young children and their families in a variety of settings. She currently is the Child Trauma Clinical Services and Training Lead at Child Witness to Violence Project and the Associate Director of the Boston Site Early Trauma Treatment Network at Boston Medical Center, an NCTSN Category II center. She is a Child-Parent Psychotherapy National Trainer, an expert faculty of the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood Training (DC: 0-5) and one of the developers of the Harris Professional Development Network Diversity Informed Tenets for Work with Infants Children and Families Initiative and of the Boston Medical Center Family Preparedness Plan for Immigrant Families. She is a former co-chair of the Culture Consortium of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, and has adapted and translated materials for Spanish-speaking families affected by trauma. Carmen Rosa has also contributed to the literature in infant and early childhood mental health, diversity and immigration. Wanda Vargas, Ph.D., is currently the Senior Psychologist at New York Presbyterian’s Family PEACE Trauma Treatment Center, an NCTSN Category III center, dedicates herself to improving the safety and well-being of underserved young children and caregivers who have been exposed to trauma. Dr. Vargas immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic at the young age of 3, and later earned a Ph.D. in the combined Clinical and School Psychology program at Hofstra University where she developed an interest in maternal stress and mother-child dyads. Through her leadership at Family PEACE, Dr. Vargas has been working on creating a trauma-informed approach to identifying at-risk young children and developing programming that is client-centered and culturally attuned to the needs of the community, in the hopes of fulfilling a dream of one day being able to break the intergenerational transmission of trauma for our nation’s children. Note: This session is part of the Preventing and Responding to Family Violence During COVID-19 Series, an online series brought to you by the MHTTC Network and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. For more information on the series and to access recordings and resources from previous sessions, please click here.

El impacto de la pandemia del COVID-19 ha iluminado las inequidades existentes con la carga de la crisis recayendo en las personas representando minorías raciales y étnicas y otros grupos marginalizados. Partiendo de un encuadre que integra la justicia social y las prácticas informadas en la diversidad y el trauma, esta charla virtual ofrecerá una visión general sobre el impacto de la intersección de las inequidades estructurales y la pandemia en los niños de cero a cinco años en familias Latinoamericanas. Se abordará la violencia de pareja en este contexto y sus implicaciones desde la perspectiva del niño pequeño, el cuidador / padre y las relaciones de apego. La presentación está disponible AQUÍ. El documento de FAQ está disponible AQUÍ. Speakers: Carmen Rosa Noroña, LICSW, MSW, MS. Ed., IECMH-E® (Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor-Clinical), is originally from Ecuador. For over 25 years, she has provided clinical services to young children and their families in a variety of settings. She currently is the Child Trauma Clinical Services and Training Lead at Child Witness to Violence Project and the Associate Director of the Boston Site Early Trauma Treatment Network at Boston Medical Center, an NCTSN Category II center. She is a Child-Parent Psychotherapy National Trainer, an expert faculty of the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood Training (DC: 0-5) and one of the developers of the Harris Professional Development Network Diversity Informed Tenets for Work with Infants Children and Families Initiative and of the Boston Medical Center Family Preparedness Plan for Immigrant Families. She is a former co-chair of the Culture Consortium of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, and has adapted and translated materials for Spanish-speaking families affected by trauma. Carmen Rosa has also contributed to the literature in infant and early childhood mental health, diversity and immigration. Wanda Vargas, Ph.D., is currently the Senior Psychologist at New York Presbyterian’s Family PEACE Trauma Treatment Center, an NCTSN Category III center, dedicates herself to improving the safety and well-being of underserved young children and caregivers who have been exposed to trauma. Dr. Vargas immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic at the young age of 3, and later earned a Ph.D. in the combined Clinical and School Psychology program at Hofstra University where she developed an interest in maternal stress and mother-child dyads. Through her leadership at Family PEACE, Dr. Vargas has been working on creating a trauma-informed approach to identifying at-risk young children and developing programming that is client-centered and culturally attuned to the needs of the community, in the hopes of fulfilling a dream of one day being able to break the intergenerational transmission of trauma for our nation’s children. Note: This is the final session of the Preventing and Responding to Family Violence During COVID-19 Series, an online series brought to you by the MHTTC Network and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. For more information on the series and to access recordings and resources from previous sessions, please click here.

Learning From and With the School Mental Health Workforce (School Counselors, Psychologists, and Teacher Educators) is Session 2 of the two-part learning series Supporting School Mental Health in the Context of Racial Violence. This learning series is intended for students, families, educators and school mental health professionals who are navigating the impact of racial violence on student mental health. Each 1.5 hour learning session will feature a moderator who will engage advocates, leaders and the school mental health workforce in a conversation that focuses on: Strategies for supporting students’ mental health while navigating racial violence (in and out of school); Opportunities for the field to improve its commitment to fostering a workforce ready, able and willing to hold racial violence as a mental health issue; Steps we might take to advance school mental health supports for students experiencing racial violence. Download the slides for this presentation here. Learn more about our speakers here. Questions? Please email Jessica Gonzalez at [email protected].