Bronx Child Trauma Support

The Bronx Child Trauma Support, launched in 2004 in partnership with the Bronx District Attorney's Office, provides trauma-informed psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and court support to children and teens who have been victims of or witnesses to sexual assault, intimate partner violence, community violence, child abuse, and homicide. In the wake of violence, young people frequently experience debilitating fear and anxiety, difficulty sleeping and concentrating in school, depression, and an increased risk of further victimization. Bronx Child Trauma Support combats these risks by offering vital therapeutic services in both English and Spanish. The program’s services are free and do not require health insurance, making these critical therapeutic interventions accessible to those in need regardless of their financial resources. During therapy, participants learn skills to help manage their emotions and reactions to trauma and strengthen attachments to protective caregivers. Caregivers are included in their children’s therapy when appropriate to equip them with a better understanding of children’s behavior and a greater capacity to respond to a traumatized child, which greatly enhances the healing process and reduces the need for ongoing or future interventions. In order to provide comprehensive support to these vulnerable children, Bronx Child Trauma Support offers additional services beyond psychotherapy including court accompaniment and support, crisis intervention and assessment for risk of self-harm and/or suicide, and advocacy with other service providers. 

Responding to Trauma: 
Each year, more than 100 young people and their families are referred to The Bronx Child Trauma Support  for therapeutic and court support services following exposure to violent crime. The program is one of only two in the Bronx dedicated to providing long-term evidence-based interventions for traumatized children, teens, and their caregivers. These interventions include:

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A caregiver-child treatment that aims to decrease post-traumatic stress symptoms by helping participants develop coping tools, build sources of support, and better understand their traumatic experiences.
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  Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy: An advanced form of therapy that applies the neurobiology of trauma to quickly alleviate distress and symptoms, including depression and anxiety, resulting from traumatic or disturbing life events.
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  Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention: A brief caregiver-child intervention that addresses the needs of youth immediately following a traumatic event and helps prevent enduring post-traumatic stress reactions by strengthening family communication and support, teaching coping skills, helping families address practical needs, and assessing whether a child needs longer-term treatment. 

Assisting with the Court Process: 
Testifying in Court can be frightening, overwhelming, and confusing for children and adults alike. For many, the experience of testifying about a crime is intrusive and retraumatizing. The Bronx Child Trauma Support  offers the support of trauma-informed therapists to young victims and witnesses who have to appear in Court; this includes work with prosecutors to help them engage with their witnesses, emotional preparation for testimony, court accompaniment, assistance with creating victim impact statements, and help with understanding and processing court outcomes.  

Crisis Intervention: 
The Bronx Child Trauma Support offers on-site crisis intervention, risk assessment, and safety planning for youth who disclose a risk of suicide, self-harm, or other imminent danger at any point during their participation in the criminal justice process. Young people seen for crisis intervention receive follow-up services from the program or referrals to appropriate agencies.

Impact: 
The Bronx Child Trauma Support uses pre- and post-treatment standardized assessments and self-report instruments to track reductions in post-traumatic stress symptoms; children and teens continue to receive services until their symptoms are effectively managed or resolved, or a referral for additional care is indicated. An exploratory study funded by the Heckscher Foundation for Children found that the program effectively reduces symptoms of trauma for youth exposed to violent crime.

Following participation in the program, young people and their caregivers frequently report improvement in the youths’ academic performance and behavior at home as well as increased feelings of safety, positive coping strategies, healthy self-esteem, and improved relationships with family members and peers. With BCTS’s help, families learn that the trauma they experienced does not define or control them.