Connecticut's Trauma Initiative is a collaborative effort between the Connecticut Women's Consortium (CWC) and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) in partnership with behavioral health providers. The primary goal of the Trauma Initiative is to deliver behavioral health care that is sensitive and responsive to the needs of men and women who have experienced psychological trauma. A guiding principle of the initiative is that people who have survived trauma, in particular interpersonal trauma, can and do recover when provided treatment services/environments that are sensitive to their needs. To do this, trauma services must have a scientific, clinical, cultural, and humanistic understanding of the impact of traumatic stress.

Prior to the events of September 11, 2001, Connecticut had recognized and started to address the considerable consequences of trauma.  Each year, (DMHAS) serves some 70,000 adults who suffer from severe mental illness and/or addiction.  Research has shown that a majority have a history of exposure to trauma and that many are struggling with the aftermath of such experiences.  In an effort to create a systematic way of identifying and treating survivors, the CT Trauma Initiative was formed in the spring of 2000.

The first phase of this initiative focused on training behavioral health providers to provide trauma specific services using evidence based or evidence informed treatment models. The second and ongoing phase of the CT Trauma Initiative focuses on creating trauma-informed service environments, regardless of the type of clinical service being offered.  This means that CEO’s, program directors, clinical staff, out reach workers, case managers and administrative support staff all receive basic training on the nature and impact of psychological trauma.  The goal is to provide a framework for real culture change that results in the reduction and elimination of re-traumatization of those seeking services.

Groups, Committees and Projects

Trauma Guide Team
The Trauma Guide Team oversees the events and committees of the Trauma Initiative and maps the future course for the state.
Trauma Quarterly Meetings
A networking, learning and supportive opportunity, these meetings provide a forum for providers of trauma services to share the strengths and challenges of offering and sustaining services over time.. 
Trauma Matters Newsletter
Trauma Matters newsletter keeps the behavioral health community, trauma survivors, and other interested persons informed about current efforts to address trauma as a public health issue.  
Trauma Directory
The trauma directory is a directory for providers and consumers to locate trauma services throughout Connecticut. 

Contacts

Eileen Russo, Director of Trauma Services, CWC, erusso@womensconsortium.org, (203) 909-6888 x 12

Terry Nowakowski, Assistant Director, DMHAS Statewide Services, terry.nowakowski@po.state.ct.us  (860) 418-6774