A national center focused on addressing the needs of students exposed to trauma has received new funding to continue its work.

Led by Marleen Wong, clinical professor and senior associate dean of field education at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, and colleagues from RAND and UCLA, the Treatment and Services Adaptation Center for Resiliency, Hope and Wellness in Schools has received approximately $3 million from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

For nearly two decades, the center has created and disseminated evidence-based interventions and tools that help schools throughout the United States respond to traumatic events and support students exposed to trauma. The continued funding will allow the center to continue its role as the nation’s primary source of trauma-related resources and training for school officials and teachers.

Specifically, the Treatment and Services Adaptation Center develops and disseminates school-based, trauma-informed interventions to improve how schools understand and respond to trauma. The center seeks to build resilience in schools by preparing and educating school personnel to be responsive to the needs of children and families with seamless, accessible and effective services that involve all members of the school community.

Additionally, the center will fill critical gaps by providing widespread access to, training in, and implementation support for materials and resources, such as psychological first aid; addressing the lack of evidence-based programs in schools with minimal mental health resources by disseminating the teacher-led Support for Students Exposed to Trauma program; extending the reach of school-based trauma interventions to address the needs of elementary-age students by incorporating the Bounce Back program; and identifying and addressing the needs of particularly vulnerable students such as those who identify as sexual minorities.

The new grant will also support the involvement of other faculty members from the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, including Stephen Hydon, clinical professor of field education, and Vivien Villaverde, clinical associate professor of field education.