The following links provide resources to help psychologists, teachers, parents and others deal effectively with crises that affect children, including information on evidence-based practices and model curricula.
The APA Presidential Task Force on PTSD and Trauma in Children and Adolescents produced a number of tools for mental health professionals and policymakers that identify "what we know" and "what we need to know" regarding the development and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in youth. The resources present current knowledge and information, as well critical gaps in knowledge, about this important area: Read the report online.
The National Association of School Psychologists' "PREPaRE" curriculum guides teachers and school counselors in handling crises that affect school children.
Researchers at the Rand Corporation and the Los Angeles Unified School District have developed a skills-based group intervention called Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Trauma in Schools, aimed at relieving symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and general anxiety in children exposed to trauma. It is in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides resources for mental health and school personnel to help them prepare for and intervene in the face of crises, including evidence-based treatments for schools and a psychological first aid protocol that can be adapted for schools.
The government website provides resources to help people prepare for and deal with any natural or man-made crisis, including information and kits tailored for families, military personnel, older Americans, people with disabilities and pet owners.
The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement provides information for school systems to support children in times of crisis and loss, including a teacher training module for understanding and supporting children after a death. Visit National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement.
A free curriculum guide and related CD-ROM on childhood traumatic grief are available from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at . Also visit CTG for a free Web-based learning course on using trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for childhood traumatic grief.
The American Red Cross is piloting a new course, "Coping in today's world: Psychological first aid and resilience for families, friends and neighbors," aimed at helping families in times of stress and building resilience. Also available is a course designed specifically for military families, "Coping with deployments: psychological first aid for military families." For more information, contact your local Red Cross chapter. In addition, the American Red Cross provides extensive information about disaster preparedness and response.
"Listen, Protect, and Connect" is a series of psychological first aid resources to guide parents, teachers, and neighbors in helping children after a crisis. Visit Ready or UCLA Center for Public Health and Disasters in the resources/psychological first aid section.
—T. DeAngelis
