Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)

@chdi

Building a bridge to better behavioral health & well-being for children and families by advancing system, practice, and policy solutions - in Connecticut and beyond. Learn more about our work: chdi.org #YouthMentalHealth #ImpSci #EvidenceBasedPractice

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Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· 14d

The Results: Quality improvement in children's behavioral health leads to:

• Improved access to consistent care
• Better, more equitable treatment outcomes
• Higher satisfaction with treatment
• Long-term cost savings and efficiency
• Increased accountability and public transparency
• Better informed policy and funding decisions
• Greater adaptability and sustainability

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· 14d

Step Five: Address Systems-Level Concerns

When system-level concerns are identified through the quality improvement process, we work with policymakers to flag and address them, including how to allocate state funds and resources.

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· 14d

Step Four: Provide Training and Technical Assistance

We provide standardized, best-practice training, as well as ongoing consultation and technical assistance. To date, CHDI has trained more than 20,000 child-serving professionals. ➡️

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· 14d

Step Three: Analyze Data and Report Findings

We collect and analyze data to determine what's working well, what's not working, and where there are disparities in access, quality, or outcomes across populations served...
...then continuously evaluate progress and provide reporting at the system and provider levels to inform decision-making and drive change. ➡️

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· 14d

Step Two: Establish Measures and Benchmarks

We develop an effective measurement approach, identify benchmarks, and support model fidelity across providers and locations, so families know what to expect no matter where they get care. ➡️

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· 14d

Step One: Refine Model and Set Goals

We review and refine program and treatment models and practice standards—based on input from youth, families, providers, and communities—then set goals for improvement. ➡️

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· 14d

Kids and families deserve behavioral health systems that respond to their needs, starting with a better #QualityImprovement process. Swipe to see how we help crisis services, young adult programs, and more set goals, build assessment measures, and evaluate what's really working. 👉

Our Process: Quality Improvement

Improving access, quality, and outcomes in children's behavioral health services ➡️

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· 16d

New data from our FY25 annual report confirms that MATCH-ADTC is making a real difference for kids facing anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral problems! 📊 Dive into the details: https://loom.ly/QTo4i8k #MATCH #EvidenceBasedPractices

CT's MATCH-ADTC (Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Conduct Problems) Coordinating Center: Evidence-Based Practice Outcomes (Fiscal Year 2025):

• 663 Connecticut children received MATCH-ADTC
• 86% of children receiving MATCH-ADTC showed improvement on at least one assessment measure
• 89% of children who received MATCH-ADTC engaged in treatment by completing at least 4 sessions
• 60 new clinicians were trained in MATCH-ADTC, and 7 staff completed consultant training

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· 21d

CHDI serves as Connecticut's Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Coordinating Center, supporting a network of 42 #TFCBT providers statewide. 📊 Want the full picture? Read our FY25 annual report: https://loom.ly/i0IoFbI #TraumaInformedCare

CT Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Coordinating Center, Evidence-Based Practice Outcomes from Fiscal Year 2025:

• 685 Connecticut youth received TF-CBT treatment, while 202 children received the related treatment Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC)

• 84% of children receiving TF-CBT exhibited improvement of one or more symptoms.

• 93% of caregivers reported high satisfaction with their child's TF-CBT treatment.

• 41 new clinicians were trained and 13 new staff became credentialied in TF-CBT.

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· 23d

🎉 Our Students Supporting Students #PeerSupport program just wrapped up year 2, "creating waves" in four #CTSchools across Bristol, New Haven, and Lebanon. Peer teams learned to support classmates & fight mental health stigma. 📰 Read on: https://loom.ly/gdFqzO0

Student Supporting Students (Triple S), 2025-2026 School Year Outcomes:

• 4 participating schools
• 8 peer team advisors
• 61 peer team members
• 1,782 students trained in NAMI Ending the Silence
➡️

Students said...
• "[Triple S] created waves in the community."
• "Everyone [got involved], no matter their clique."
• "We made connections with other peer support groups, too."

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· 27d

Parenting a child who's experienced trauma is hard. Trauma ScreenTIME equips child-serving staff to support the whole family. 🔗 Start with the Core Course: https://loom.ly/cvlDaNA #TraumaScreening #ChildhoodTrauma #ChildrensBehavioralHealth

"A parent told me that what they learned about trauma made a big difference in the parenting of their child." — Trauma ScreenTIME Core Course Participant

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· 29d

Happy #DisabilityPrideMonth! 🖤❤️💛🤍💙💚🖤 At just 8 years old, Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins helped shape disability rights for the entire nation. Her story is a reminder that kids are powerful change agents! Swipe to learn more ➡️

Did you know? An 8-year-old's protest helped pass the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. Her name is Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins. ➡️

In March 1990, disability rights activists, including Jennifer, who has cerebral palsy, abandoned their mobility aids and crawled up the steps of the U.S. Capitol to protest the slow pace of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) becoming law. ➡️

In July 1990, the ADA was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, the reason Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July. This observance celebrates and recognizes all people with disabilities, not just physical ones. ➡️

Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins—still an activist today—showed us that age is no barrier to advocacy. At just 8 years old, she helped shape disability rights in America. Her story reminds us that kids play a powerful role in creating change.

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jul 14

Data in action at our first-ever Data Walk! 🤝 Nearly 40 community members explored children's behavioral health data to find ways to improve outcomes for kids and families. Read more: https://loom.ly/Yqv0XOI #ChildrensBehavioralHealth

"We have so many thoughtful, caring people in the state who are willing to dig deep, ask hard questions, and do the hard work!" - Data Walk participant

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jul 10

This edition of "Evidence-Based Practices, Explained" focuses on #MATCHADTC! Learn more at https://loom.ly/40yKFqM #ChildrensBehavioralHealth #EvidenceBasedPractices

What is MATCH-ADTC (Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems)? A modular system designed for youth ages 6-17 that treats four common behavioral health concerns at once. ➡️

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jul 9

July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, so we're highlighting CT organizations serving BIPOC children & families and their work challenging inequity in behavioral health systems! #BIPOCMentalHealth

BIPOC Mental Health Month/Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Awareness Month: Organizations Supporting Children, Families, and Providers in Connecticut ➡️

Urban Trauma Provider Network: The UPTN connects children and families to providers of accessible, culturally responsive, and evidence-based behavioral health services in Connecticut's cities. ➡️

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) Health Services: MPTN Health Services offers programs that support Connecticut's Indigenous children and families, including a variety of social and behavioral health services. ➡️

The Center for Children's Advocacy: CCA works to reform systemic policies and practices in law enforcement, education, and the justice system that harm youth of color through its Racial Justice Project.

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jul 8

The Children's Behavioral Health System Dashboard for #Connecticut is a living resource! We're building out our Social Drivers of Behavioral Health area, starting with income data. Bookmark it so you don't miss future updates: https://loom.ly/LBbUXmc #PublicHealth

How do socioeconomic factors affect children's behavioral health and access to care? ➡️

1 in 8 Connecticut children and adolescents lived in a household in 2024 in which their caregivers' income fell below the poverty line, with higher poverty rates among youth of color: 8.8% of White children, 16.2% of Multiracial children, and 27.7% of Black children. ➡️

Explore more data using the Children's Behavioral Health System Dashboard for Connecticut, linked in the caption.

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jul 7

If you're a part of our state's children's behavioral health system, you know we need more providers. The System Dashboard has the data to help you make the case—for workforce programs, advocacy, or grants. 📈 Take a closer look: https://loom.ly/LBbUXmc #ChildrensBehavioralHealth

Are there enough behavioral health professionals to meet the current demand? ➡️

28,770 behavioral health providers hold licenses in Connecticut as of 2026—a number not exclusive to those working with kids. Most providers are LCSWs, and the fewest are CADCs. ➡️

22% of Connecticut high schoolers in 2025 reported getting the help they needed when feeling sad, empty, hopeless, angry, or anxious, which is fewer than in 2015-2021. ➡️

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jul 3

Revising next year's school policies? The CT #ChildrensBehavioralHealth System Dashboard has data to help—one of the many ways it can support better outcomes for kids! Useful for school staff, providers, policymakers, and families alike. 🔗 https://loom.ly/LBbUXmc

What can youth-serving systems, like schools, tell us about how young people are doing? ➡️

17% of Connecticut youth were chronically absent during the 2024-2025 academic year, meaning they missed at least 10% of school days. This number has consistently gone down since 21-22. ➡️

548 Connecticut youth were arrested at school during the 2024-2025 academic year. This number is down from 21-22 and 22-23, but up from 23-24.

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jul 2

🔎 Did you know that #Connecticut now has a public dashboard that tracks #ChildrensBehavioralHealth trends? Created by CHDI in collaboration with the CBHPIAB, it compiles robust data into an easy-to-use tool. 📊 Explore it here: https://loom.ly/LBbUXmc #DataTransparency

How many youth and children in Connecticut report experiencing depression, suicidality, or substance use? ➡️

30% of Connecticut high schoolers reported experiencing prolonged sadness in 2025, with significantly higher rates among female and LGBTQ+ youth; this number is down from 2019, 2021, and 2023, but up from 2015 and 2017. ➡️

14% of Connecticut high schoolers in 2025 reported using tobacco recently, including e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco pouches. This number is down from 2019, but up from 2021 and 2023.

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jun 30

☀️ Our June newsletter has landed! Read it now and subscribe so you don't miss next month: https://loom.ly/6Md_dOk #ChildrensMentalHealth #Connecticut #CTSchools #CommunityBasedCare

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jun 29

➡️ Swipe to see our new mural come to life! Thank you to Jillian Goeler for this beautiful, bright reminder of our "why". See more of her work here: https://www.jaginkstudio.com/ #Mural #CHDI #Connecticut

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jun 26

📢 Connecticut parents: join our Data Walk and help shape the future of children's behavioral health in CT! Data shows us the 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩, your experiences show us the 𝙬𝙝𝙮, and together, we figure out 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩. 👉 Register here: https://loom.ly/khYVEUs #Connecticut #CTFamilies

Community Data Walk, presented by the Child Health and Development Institute in Partnership with the Children's Behavioral Health Plan Implementation Advisory Board, with funding from CT DCF.

Connecticut parents & caregivers: let your voice be heard! Join us for an interactive data walk to:
• Explore children's behavioral health trends in Connecticut
• Share your experiences and ideas to strenghten care for CT kids and families

Monday, June 29, 2026 from 10 AM to 12 PM at the Bristol Public Library, 5 High Street, Bristol, CT.

This event is free, but registration is required. Register at the link in the caption!

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jun 25

CHDI serves as Connecticut's TF-CBT Coordinating Center, which supports implementation and training, data collection, and quality improvement. Visit chdi.org/TF-CBT to: • Learn more about TF-CBT training for mental health providers • Explore TF-CBT's outcomes and data• Join our TF-CBT provider network• Find a TF-CBT provider in Connecticut

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jun 25

TF-CBT is the most widely researched treatment for children and adolescents recovering from trauma. It: • Facilitates recovery from upsetting thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with trauma exposure• Includes a parent, caregiver, or a caring adult in treatment, encouraging trust, communication, and collaborative problem-solving• Helps children feel more in control of their lives and return to the things they enjoy➡️

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jun 25

Some trauma-exposed children develop PTSD, while many others experience traumatic stress. Symptoms of traumatic stress can include excessive worry, anger, sadness, or negativity, sleep difficulties or nightmares, loss of interest in activities, difficulty paying attention, school issues or refusal, behavioral problems, fear or anxiety, substance use, guilt or shame, and avoidance. ➡️

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jun 25

More than 2/3 of children report experiencing at least one traumatic event by age 16¹. Potential traumatic events can include physical, psychological, or sexual abuse or neglect, war, terrorism, or mass violence, serious illness or accident, racism and discrimination, traumatic separation, death of a loved one, natural disasters, bullying, and poverty. ➡️¹NCTSN

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jun 25

📢 Introducing our new series "Evidence-Based Practices, Explained," where we take a closer look at the evidence-based practices (EBPs) CHDI champions and disseminates. First up is TF-CBT! Learn more at https://www.chdi.org/tf-cbt #TFCBT

Evidence-Based Practices, Explained Series.

What is TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)?

A family-centered, short-term treatment model that helps children ages 3-18 recover from trauma ➡️

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jun 23

Chief Program Officer Jason Lang, PhD, and Rochelle Hanson, PhD, of MUSC, edited and wrote the foreword for a special edition of Child Maltreatment exploring 10 years of trauma-informed care research, and it's out now! 🔗 https://loom.ly/NJnd5Ok #ResearchSky

New Publication: Ten Years Later: An Updated Critical Look at Trauma-Informed Care Among Agencies and Systems Serving Youth and Their Families, a foreword to a special section of "Child Maltreatment," exploring the current state of trauma-informed care.

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jun 19

From coast to coast, CHDI staff have been sharing what we know. Since January, we've presented on our research and programs at events nationwide. Here are a few highlights from 2026 so far! #YouthMentalHealth #ImpSci #EvidenceBased #PublicHealth

San Diego, CA: Chief Program Officer Jason Lang, PhD, presented alongside Monica Fitzgerald from the University of Colorado Boulder and Ernestine Briggs from Johns Hopkins University on the latest news in child mental health and trauma at the Chadwick Child Maltreatment Conference in January.

Baltimore, MD: Director of Implementation Jack Lu, PhD, LCSW, presented alongside Stephanie Marquesano of The Harris Project and Linda Richter of Partnership to End Addiction at the Joint Meeting on Youth Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery (JMYPTR) in March.

Detroit, MI: Senior Project Coordinator Christina Stephens, DSW, LCSW, was a panelist on "The Journey To and Through Social Work Practice" about workforce development, identity, and retention at the National Association of Black Social Workers Conference in March.

Providence, RI: In May, President and CEO Jeff Vanderploeg moderated a panel at the New England Children's Behavioral Health Network's Spring Conference, focusing on the anticipated impacts H.R. 1 legislation will have on behavioral health care for children and families enrolled in Medicaid.

Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI)@chdi· Jun 18

Summer can disrupt routines, and for some families, that means losing touch with behavioral health supports. Our SBDI team created these free, ready-to-share resources (in English & Spanish!) to help bridge the gap. 🔗 https://loom.ly/RWO4fIA #FamilyEngagement #SBDI #YouthMentalHealth