Research In Action

Children and their families can be affected by the emotional impact of pediatric medical events such as injury, illness, and chronic conditions. Decades of research, including studies conducted by CIRP investigators, have shown that while many pediatric patients (and their family members) have some acute distress that resolves with time and support, about one in six children and parents develop persistent reactions, including traumatic stress symptoms, that impact their daily functioning.

That’s why I am excited to share that the Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress (CPTS), a collaborative effort from Nemours Children’s Health, Golisano Children’s at University of Kentucky, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, has received funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for the next five years as a Category II (Translation and Adaptation) Center with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. CPTS is a proud partner in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), a unique national network that works to improve quality and access to care for trauma-exposed children, families, and communities across the United States.

Founded in 2002, CPTS has served as a national resource helping healthcare providers and systems to mitigate the effects of health-related trauma in the lives of pediatric patients and their families. Comprised of a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, medical professionals, social workers, as well as support from National Nursing and Family Advisory Committees, CPTS is the go-to for evidence-based information and tools to help healthcare teams implement trauma-informed pediatric care.

The Center’s primary website, HealthCareToolbox.org, provides a wealth of resources, information, and downloadable tools for a wide range of health professionals, as well as ill and injured children and their families. This includes: a library of downloadable patient education handouts in English and Spanish for children, teens, and parents, and a set of interactive online courses in trauma-informed pediatric care that offer continuing education credit for healthcare providers. AfterTheInjury.org also offers resources for parents as they help their children recover emotionally from an injury.  

With support from SAMHSA, the CPTS team aims to expand provider training and access, and support patients and their families. The goals include:

• Strengthen awareness, prevention of and responsiveness to traumatic stress among healthcare providers and systems across the U.S., while advancing trauma-informed care across healthcare systems and practices in collaboration with healthcare providers.
• Deepen expertise and enhance provider capacity within the mental health workforce to care for children with acute and chronic medical needs and their families.
• Disseminate traumatic stress psychosocial resources directly to families with children with acute and chronic medical needs, and ensure that patients and families have access to evidence-based resources and interventions addressing pediatric traumatic stress.  

To connect with CPTS, please follow them at their new LinkedIn page or email cpts@chop.edu.