C-START began in 2012 and is focused on building Miami-Dade’s capacity to deliver evidence-based, culturally competent interventions for child trauma. C-START uses the Community-Based Learning Collaborative (CBLC) training model approach to engage care managers, mental health therapists, supervisors and senior leaders in training teams led by national master trainers. Through a yearlong training, teams learn how to appropriately screen children for trauma symptoms, refer to services, and monitor and deliver trauma-informed treatment.

Learning Collaboratives over the next five years (2024-2029) will focus on Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Risk Reduction through Family Therapy (RRFT). Mini-trainings by national experts will explore trauma’s intersection with race, pride communities and new arrivals. C-START –  which stands for Child Severe Trauma Awareness, Response and Treatment – is expected to train hundreds of therapists and care workers over the course of the grant, and reach thousands of social service providers with prevention education classes. Previously from 2012 to 2021, Kristi House’s C-START program trained 340 mental health clinicians and care coordinators.

The next Learning Collaborative on TF-CBT is slated to begin in January 2024. For more information, contact Kristi House’s Chief Program Officer Dr. Vanessa Ramirez at VRamirez@kristihouse.org.