OBJECTIVES: The overall goal of this project is to adapt, implement, and evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of CBITS, an evidence-based treatment for children exposed to violence, as delivered in Catholic schools primarily serve low-income Latino families. The specific aims of this study are:

1. To develop community participatory partnerships with religious organizations who serve children in the QueensCare network and who are interested in implementing CBITS
2. To adapt the CBITS program so that it will be acceptable and appropriate for use in these faith communities
3. To pilot the implementation of this newly adapted program in QueensCare partner organizations serving low income Latino families.

METHODS: Development of a participatory partnership: As part of the (CHIC) process, QueensCare Health & Faith Partnership (QHFP) and (UCLA) Health Services Research Center developed a collaborative to address how an academic-community partnership could focus on the lack of mental health services available for children and families within the QHFP network. One QHFP partner organization that serves a large population of children and showed interest in mental health services was St. Thomas the Apostle Church and School. Focus Groups: Focus Groups were conducted prior to the implementation of the CBITS program on the St. Thomas School site to determine the level of acceptability and appropriateness of CBITS in the community. In the Focus Groups parents and school staff identified many of the same types of community violence having a significant impact on children. Although preferable, focus groups were not also conducted with students because of resource constraints. Participatory Process of Program Development and Evaluation: A Steering Committee was developed among QFHP staff (mental health clinician, nurse, health promoter, administrator), St. Thomas community members (principle, priest, church members and parents), and UCLA researchers to guide the planning and implementation to reflect the particular needs of the St. Thomas community.

RESULTS/FINDINGS: Our experience in this process had pointed to a number of areas for future research, including how to adapt and evaluate CBITS for delivery in the general school and church population on a more preventative level to complement the current CBITS groups significantly affected youth. CBITS staff practiced within a faith based context that was familiar to these students and families, such as incorporating religious rationales to counter maladaptive thoughts and use of religious imagery CBITS relaxation exercises. Formal adaptation and evaluation of CBITS for faith communities should be conducted. Finally, future research should explore the effect of disseminating interventions using participatory methods on the level of program sustainability, community-level changes such as improved understanding of mental health care, and the effect of empowerment on those that participate in the research process.

STATUS: CBITS groups are currently being run at Our Lady of Guadelupe School, delivered by QueensCare staff.

IMPACT: Without the invaluable guidance and direction from community participation in research, innovations in health care may remain limited in the scope of practice, the effectiveness of dissemination, and the ability to meaningfully and broadly address disparities in health care for underserved ethnic minority communities.

Principal Investigator:
Sheryl Kataoka, MD, MSHS; Susan Fuentes, RN

Partners: QueensCare Health and Faith Partnership, St Thomas the Apostle School, Our Lady of Guadalupe School, UCLA HSRC.