Maines Trauma Informed System of Care for

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• Maines Trauma Informed System of Care for
• Children Their Families
• Arabella Perez, LCSW, MSW
• Project Director
• Brianne Masselli, BA
• Youth Coordinator

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System of Care Definition

• A system of care is a coordinated network of
  community-based services and supports that are
  organized to meet the challenges of children and
  youth with serious mental health needs and their
  families. Families and youth work in partnership
  with public and private organizations so services
  and supports are effective, build on the
  strengths of individuals, and address each
  persons cultural and linguistic needs. A system
  of care helps children, youth and families
  function better at home, in school, in the
  community and throughout life.

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Thrive Maines Trauma Informed System of Care
for Children their Families

• Maine awarded a SOC grant in 2005 covering three
  counties in central Maine
• Stakeholders include
• Child Welfare
• Juvenile Justice
• Education
• Youth with Serious Emotional Disturbances
  their families
• The intent is to build a system that understands
  the effects of trauma and avoids re-traumatizing
  those who seek services.

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System of Care values

• Child Centered
• Family Driven
• Youth Guided
• Home, School and Community Based
• Culturally and Linguistically Competent
• Trauma Informed (the added principle!)

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Future Search Principles hand in hand with System
of Care

• values promoting each other with a shared vision
  for the future
• Bringing all these parts into the whole.
• Recognizing the power of individual and
  collective culture.
• The role of communication (linguistic competency)
  and the various cultural lenses.
• Trauma is all about TRUST.
• How do we become a collective and share a vision
  when parts of the whole have been impacted by
  trauma. This unrecognized untreated trauma can
  diminish hope.

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Changing Systemic Relationships

• It isnt business as usual
• A system of care is not just a set of services or
  a program
• A trauma informed system of care is not just a
  set of services or a program for trauma survivors
  but a way of supporting the consumer by reframing
  the question of whats wrong with you? to what
  happened to you?, thereby creating a more caring
  community and service system.
• Everyone needs help to
• View the structure, process and outcomes
  differently
• Build the system differently
• Participate in the system differently
• Act and interact with each other and partners in
  new ways
• Be inclusive

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Why have families and youth at the table?

• Consumers and families told the Presidents New
  Freedom Commission on Mental Health
  Transformation that
• having hope and the opportunity to regain
  control of their lives was vital to recovery.
  Indeed emerging research has validated that hope
  and self determination are important factor
  contributing to recovery
• ACCESS to opportunities that assist with the
  development of new systems that better serve
  youth and families.
• ACCESS to opportunities that allow them to have
  their voice be heard and develop a better
  understanding with all parties involved.

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How can you make room at your table?
Barriers Solutions

• Adultism
• Access and support to participate
• Youth transiency
• Professionals unwillingness to undertake major
  change
• Inadequate support and time mentoring
• Stereotypes

• Encourage adults to focus on the assets of
  families
• Encourage success
• Adapt and adjust the group to meet everyones
  needs
• Create opportunities for everyone to participate
  equally
• Avoid Jargon
• Support and validate their contributions

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Being a part of the solution builds a mutual
understanding for all parties.

• I am sorry the system screwed me over but I am
  proud to be invited here and proud that I can be
  part of the solution Youth participant
• Social workers leave my home she is walking away
  with the same understanding that I have -
  Family member
• .. We are sorry that we have lost the
  childrens voices Social worker

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We have an exciting web site loaded with
information. Please visit us at
www.thriveinitiative.org