The Acumen - January 2024

training curricula to a diverse workforce in Colorado and provides technical assistance. Over 4,000 professionals around the state utilize the Colorado Systems Training Institute (CSTI) learning management system managed by TRIP. • The Trauma-Responsive Schools Theory of Change Toolkit authored by Drs. Gomez and Fauchier have been downloaded by more than 800 users representing more than 25 states and 7 countries. • TRIP has trained 1,330 professionals over the past three years from child welfare, school system, infant mental health and early education providers, juvenile justice system, and health care system, in topics such as trauma-responsive practices, diversity- informed practices, reflective practices, and cultural responsiveness. • TRIP In Schools is now being implemented in three elementary schools in Weld County reaching nearly 2,000 students and 250 teachers and administrators. There are plans underway to roll out to three additional elementary schools in the 2024/2025 academic year and reach thousands of more students and hundreds of more teachers and school administrators. CARE Network Kempe’s CARE (Child Abuse Response and Evaluation) Network of medical providers (physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and forensic nurse examiners) include experts in the area of pediatrics and emergency medicine. Our behavioral health providers are trained in evidence-based trauma treatment modalities, child development, trauma, complex trauma, and family systems. At the conclusion of our third year of implementation, we currently have one or more trained providers in 39% (25) of Colorado’s 64 counties with 66 trained Network providers across the state. When retuning providers are surveyed about how participation is the CARE Network has improved their communities: • 95% indicated improved access to medical

exams. • 89% noted improved access to behavioral health assessments. • 86% identified improved coordination with other child and family servicing agencies. CARE Network providers performed holistic evaluations-consistently identifying issues and translating those into coordinated referrals for children and families. FHF Fostering Healthy Futures (FHF) — an evidence- based intervention developed by Professor Heather Taussig and colleagues — is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The positive youth development program uses mentoring and skills development to empower youth with child welfare involvement to create their own healthy futures. After running randomized controlled trials of FHF spanning decades, the FHF team is focused on implementing the intervention more broadly, helping even more youth and families to thrive. FHF has served more than 1,000 children and youth, and the program has trained more than 400 social work, psychology and public health graduate students who have interned as mentors or assisted with research. In a recently funded bill to prevent youth homelessness in Colorado, FHF was included as an example of the type of program to support for expansion, based on its strong evidence. FHF is now partnering with various agencies across the state to broaden the reach and help more children and families.

United Energy and Kempe Toy Drive 2022. (Photo: Kempe)

30 The Acumen

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