NCTSN Core Data Set
Hits Major Milestone

Thanks to the hard work of Network members and
the NCCTS data core staff, the NCTSN now has
data entered on over 3,000 children who are
receiving therapy following a traumatic event. Data have come from 32 of the NCTSN centers and
alumni members. Three centers are using a data transfer method for sending data into the Core
Data Set. This is an important milestone in our
joint efforts to evaluate our work.

Many thanks are also due to NCTSN members
and SAMHSA staff for helping to make the e- Site Utilization Form (SUF) a reality. This new form will allow faster analysis and reporting on our
activities, and the information can then be used to improve NCTSN work and planning. Plans are
also underway to revise the Core Data Set to allow
better tracking of children receiving specific treatments and services.

The NCTSN is also in the process of pilot testing the Spanish translation of the Core Data Set; this should be ready for general use in October, 2006.

It is critically important that all NCTSN members
who are providing direct clinical services to
children complete the Core Data Set on their
clients at baseline and on follow up. These data
will help guide programmatic and policy decisions that ultimately will be used to improve treatments for children who experience trauma. The full participation of NCTSN members in support of the Core Data Set provides essential data that to raise the standard of care for children and families.
(Continued)

NCTSN School Initiative to Address Child Trauma Awareness

The co-chairs of the NCTSN School Committee, Audra Langley and Jennifer Wilgocki  of the Los Angeles Unified School District Trauma Services Adaptation (LAUSD-TSA) Center, other LAUSD-TSA colleagues, and NCCTS staff had a strategic planning meeting on August 2, 2006 and made several key decisions about priorities and products.

As its first major project, the NCTSN School Committee will develop a Trauma Educational Toolkit for School Communities. This toolkit will include: 1) Suggestions for teachers and other school personnel (“What You Can Do”); 2) How trauma may affect youth across developmental levels; 3) Effects of trauma on education/learning;
4) Information for parents; and 5) Self-care for educators working with traumatized students.

To support this effort, the LAUSD-TSA Center for Schools and Communities is preparing PowerPoint slides, entitled “Trauma Awareness for Schools,” that will be reviewed and enhanced by members of the School Committee. This document will then be available for sites to download via the NCTSN or LAUSD Center websites. School and community clinicians may use the materials for staff development or for parent information and education meetings in schools. (Continued)