FITCHBURG — Navigating the aftermath of a traumatic experience has just become more accessible to children in Central Massachusetts, thanks to new grant funding obtained by LUK, Inc. in Fitchburg.
This project, called Developing Resilience and Well-being, is supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of a five-year financial assistance award totaling $500,000 per year funded by HHS and $50,000 per year funded by non- government sources.
Luk representatives said that in the Central Mass. region, this means that families and their children under age 12 don’t have to deal with the consequences of trauma alone.
“This funding allows us to help more families who have experienced trauma, not just those who are already involved with services,” says Assistant Director of Trauma Services Molly Desloge. “When families call in and need to help their child after an upsetting event, we can get them involved with a wider array of specialized services and give them more support.”
LUK’s Behavioral Health Clinic Services division hosts the Central MA Child Trauma Center, which provides a variety of trauma services to families.
These services can look like care coordination, specialized clinical treatment, therapy groups, skill-building sessions for parents and even just having someone to talk to about what happened.
Younger kids, specifically those ages 2-7, can also access Parent-Child Interactive Therapy, a treatment model that uses live coaching and play to strengthen relationships and improve behavior.
“The [Parent-Child Interactive Therapy] model is unique because caregivers can learn how to manage behaviors in real-time as they are happening,” says Heather Butterfield, the program manager of LUK’s Trauma Services team. “A clinician is able to guide them through their response to a behavior, while kids get to feel supported by a caregiver and really build that bond.”
In addition to direct services, this funding also allows LUK to strengthen the community’s ability to respond to traumatic events and understand trauma-informed care. Parent groups, informative workshops and early childhood consultations will all build community capacity, and effective screening for trauma will support effective identification and intervention for treatment within the community. This helps adults learn to spot symptoms of trauma in different age groups, and teaches providers how to work with youth who have been impacted by a traumatic experience.
“Our staff members all learn about trauma-informed practices, but this funding takes it a step further and ensures the community can be informed, too,” says LUK President and CEO Beth Barto. “Parents, teachers and anyone who works with youth can learn to make a difference for a child when it matters most.”
If you or someone you know is interested in getting involved with LUK’s trauma services, LUK’s Central Referral team can answer questions, help determine your eligibility, and get you started with services. Visit www.luk.org/make-a-referral or call 978-829-2222 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
LUK, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the safety, health and well-being of youth, families and adults in Central Massachusetts. LUK’s mission is to challenge and inspire youth, adults and families to realize their unique potential through community-based prevention, intervention, education and support services. For more information about LUK, Inc., visit www.LUK.org, call 800-579-0000, or find Luk on Facebook (@LetUsKnowINC).
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