Building resilience after trauma
CHDI is improving trauma care for children and their caregivers by expanding the availability of an evidence-based trauma intervention for complex trauma that builds resilience and supports families and caregivers in building safe, healthy relationships.
A framework for recovering and thriving after trauma exposure
Many youth are exposed to trauma, which can profoundly impact their development. Early intervention after trauma can prevent more serious problems from developing. Unfortunately, there are limited evidence-based treatments to help young children experiencing traumatic stress recover and the availability of these treatments lags behind what’s available for older children and adults.
CHDI is currently working with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families to address this gap by expanding the availability of the ARC (Attachment, Regulation, and Competency) framework in Connecticut. ARC is an effective behavioral health treatment for trauma survivors ages 0-21 that supports parents (or other caregivers) in helping their children address problems resulting from trauma exposure. It can help youth of all ages - from babies to young adults - recover from trauma.
Part of a long-term commitment
The ARC initiative is part of a long-term commitment to improve trauma screening and care for young children in Connecticut. CHDI previously disseminated ARC in eight outpatient community mental health agencies (2017-2019) as part of CHDI’s Early Childhood Trauma Collaborative, along with Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), and Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI).
Learn more about CHDI's work to strengthen early childhood trauma care
Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC) is an evidence-based intervention for children of all ages (birth – age 21) who have experienced trauma, including complex trauma – and their caregivers. The ARC framework is designed to help parents develop the skills they need to assist their children with addressing the negative effects trauma may have on:
- interacting with others (attachment)
- managing emotions (self-regulation)
- meeting developmental milestones (competency)
Involving parents in treatment is important because parents have frequently experienced the same traumatic events as their children (e.g. domestic violence, community violence). ARC can help caregivers develop their own skills and simultaneously assist their children with reducing the negative effects of trauma exposure.
Research shows that ARC reduces child posttraumatic stress symptoms and increases adaptive and social skills.
Of youth & families completing ARC in Connecticut:
- 64% experienced a reduction in child traumatic stress symptoms
- 70% experienced reductions in problem severity
- 65% of caregivers experienced an improvement in their own symptoms of depression or traumatic stress
Search Connecticut’s Evidence-Based Tracker to find providers trained by CHDI to offer ARC and other evidence-based trauma treatments.
Find ARC and EBT Providers
CHDI is currently working with community mental health agencies in Connecticut to expand the availability of ARC. Funding for this expansion is provided by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.
Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC) is an evidence-based intervention for children of all ages (birth – age 21) who have experienced trauma, including complex trauma – and their caregivers. The ARC framework is designed to help parents develop the skills they need to assist their children with addressing the negative effects trauma may have on:
- interacting with others (attachment)
- managing emotions (self-regulation)
- meeting developmental milestones (competency)
Involving parents in treatment is important because parents have frequently experienced the same traumatic events as their children (e.g. domestic violence, community violence). ARC can help caregivers develop their own skills and simultaneously assist their children with reducing the negative effects of trauma exposure.
Research shows that ARC reduces child posttraumatic stress symptoms and increases adaptive and social skills.
Of youth & families completing ARC in Connecticut:
- 64% experienced a reduction in child traumatic stress symptoms
- 70% experienced reductions in problem severity
- 65% of caregivers experienced an improvement in their own symptoms of depression or traumatic stress
Search Connecticut’s Evidence-Based Tracker to find providers trained by CHDI to offer ARC and other evidence-based trauma treatments.
Find ARC and EBT Providers
CHDI is currently working with community mental health agencies in Connecticut to expand the availability of ARC. Funding for this expansion is provided by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.