Attention to process and clinical outcomes of implementing a rural school-based trauma treatment program

Abstract

The Louisiana Rural Trauma Services Center was established to provide, improve, and enhance urgently needed assessment, treatment, crisis management, and consultation services for children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events in three rural southeastern Louisiana parishes. The purpose of this study is to describe the process of implementing the rural school-based trauma treatment program and to evaluate its effectiveness in 115 students. Through attention to process including the three-tiered approach of relationship building, trauma training, and trauma services, the school-based trauma treatment program proved effective in reducing trauma symptoms. This study is important to support the widespread implementation of school-based mental health services.