Following the 2008 Bridging the Gap Symposium, teams began meeting to determine ways to implement the pilot programs recommended by the six Learning Communities.

Trauma/Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
After the 2008 Bridging the Gap Symposium, the Texas Department of State Health Services offered to provide funding for development of the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy training proposed by the Learning Community. As a result, 54 therapists and supervisors from 13 agencies, two hospitals and a private provider have received the training and are providing services to children 3 to 18 who have experienced some sort of trauma in their lives. Efforts are now underway to determine a central intake process to make referrals easier.

Cultural Competence
The Cultural Competence Implementation Team, which grew out of the At Risk/Prevention Learning Community, conducted pilot trainings for area mental health agency executives and providers in Fall 2009. The program is designed to help participants examine their own thinking, learn more about themselves and – in the process – improve relationships with all members of our diverse community. The training effectiveness will be evaluated by MHMR researchers.

Addictions
The Addictions Implementation Team is piloting Stay on TRAC (Treatment, Responsibility and Accountability on Campus) at all four high schools in the Keller Independent School District. Students have an opportunity to choose between attending alternative school for alcohol infractions or participating in this Alcohol Diversion Court model program that includes elements of education, intervention and treatment. Four Mental Health Connection member organizations are providing their services without charge for the pilot program: All Church Home for Children, Lena Pope Home, MHMR of Tarrant County Youth Recovery Campus and Santa Fe Youth Services. MHMR will conduct both short-term and long-term follow-up studies to determine the effectiveness of the program.

Autism
The Autism Implementation Team scored a victory when the Physicians Network at Cook Children’s Medical Center decided to provide reimbursement to its physicians for autism screenings at 18 or 24 months. The team is now working on system navigation issues that will address additional barriers to early identification and treatment.

Externalizing/Internalizing Disorders
Two of the Learning Communities decided to join forces after bringing similar recommendations to the community. Both groups wanted to implement formal training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the community. Since that time, they have identified potential experts, trainers and consultants and are in the process of determining the best solutions for Tarrant County. Work will continue on all of these pilot programs in the year ahead.

What’s Next
Mental Health Connection is now helping to coordinate Journal Groups that will meet monthly for six months to explore the research in mental health care for specific age groups. In addition, the Implementation Teams are continuing to move forward with the evidence-based practices they are bringing to Tarrant County.