Medical University Of South Carolina receives $600K Center for Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Telehealth outreach program for traumatic stress - the Medical University Of South Carolina’s telehealth outreach program for traumatic stress (top-ts) will increase access to telehealth-delivered trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (tf-cbt) for children and adolescents ages 7–18 across all 46 South Carolina counties, with concentrated outreach to 21 rural counties. All children served will have experienced at least one traumatic event and present with symptoms of posttraumatic stress. Top-ts will provide screening, diagnostic assessment, case management, engagement support, and tf-cbt via telehealth, with approximately 75% of services delivered in schools and 25% in homes. The program will serve 75 children and youth in year 1 and 100 annually in years 2–5, totaling 475 over five years, with parents and caregivers participating in treatment. Services will begin within four months of award, and a first appointment will be offered within two weeks of referral acceptance. At least 70% of youth completing treatment will achieve clinically significant reductions in ptsd symptoms. Top-ts will train at least 25 clinicians in year 1 and at least 40 annually thereafter in telehealth-delivered tf-cbt, with at least 80% reporting increased competence and implementing the model. At least 100 school staff will be trained annually in trauma recognition and trauma-sensitive practices, with at least 80% demonstrating increased knowledge. The project will maintain coordinated school and community referral relationships and participate annually in at least two nccts collaborative workgroups and one category II collaboration.