The Center for Safe and Healthy Children (CSHC) at the University of Minnesota has implemented the Child Traumatic Stress Care Process Model (CPM), an approach to identify and address childhood traumatic stress.  The CPM was introduced to CSHC by our colleagues at the University of Utah, who developed the Pediatric Integrated Post-Trauma Services (PIPS), a Category ll Center of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). Funded by SAMHSA in 2016, the goal of PIPS is to improve the identification, health care system response, and access to treatment for children at risk for traumatic stress. 

Eighty percent of all youth experience at least one potentially traumatic event by 18 years old. In any given year, 5-10% of children have significant and persistent symptoms of traumatic stress. Particularly, children served by child advocacy centers and foster care are likely to experience chronic trauma exposure, traumatic stress, and mental health misdiagnosis. Fortunately, early identification and intervention can mitigate the risks associated with traumatic stress and improve outcomes for children and families.  

The CPM offers an approach to be used in Child Advocacy Centers and pediatric primary care to identify children and families at risk of traumatic stress. The CPM also guides family decision making, links at-risk children to evidence-based trauma therapy, and encourages providers’ use of in-office interventions to help families cope with stress associated with exposure to a traumatic event.  

CSHC implemented the CPM in January of 2020 and now has funding through the Sauer Family Foundation to expand screening to all 13 Child Advocacy Centers in the state of Minnesota.  Minnesota PIPS hopes to expand trauma screening to additional sites in the future.

For questions or to learn more, please email us at safechild@fairview.org

Minnesota PIPS Partnership