Trauma Treatment for Youth Residing in Residential

Abstract: Youth in foster care are at high risk for exposure to traumatic events and are less likely to receive services to treat trauma related symptomology. Due to this, youth in care are living with untreated mental health problems, increasing issues related to substance misuse and delinquency. Based on previous research conducted by the study team, this study aims to build on the supporting evidence of the delivery of and adapted version of CBITS, which was created for delivery in the school setting, and establish the efficacy of adapted CBITS for foster youth and their caregivers. This research will be completed in partnership with Boys Town, which is the community-based collaborator on this work to date. Using a quasi-experimental design, the impact of the adapted CBITS intervention will be explored for the effect on trauma symptomatology, substance use behaviors, and delinquency behaviors. Follow- up data on these outcomes will be completed at the completion of the intervention, and 3-months post intervention. A total of 80 youth from Boys Town will take part in the study, with 40 youth receiving the intervention.