During Child Abuse Prevention Month, CALM is emphasizing the proactive stance it is taking in preventing and treating childhood trauma.
While CALM provides an array of trauma treatment services, more than half of its programs are prevention focused.
Services including home visitation, parent education, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorder treatment are tailored to reach families at risk of trauma, providing caregivers with support and resources.
With a recent grant from the Department of Health Care Services, CALM is further expanding its prevention-focused clinical services and will soon implement a new evidence-based therapy model, Child Parent Psychology (CPP), across Santa Barbara County.
CALM also partners with community organizations that serve children and families, such as pediatric offices and early childhood education centers, for an even greater preventive reach.
“Prevention is really at the heart of everything we do,” said Alana Walczak, CALM president/CEO. “Whether it’s a mental health specialist visiting young parents in their home to help them bond with their toddler, or a therapist working with a teen who has suffered unimaginable trauma, we are intentionally taking steps to create a better future for everyone in Santa Barbara County.
“By focusing on prevention, we can break cycles of trauma to create lasting change.”
CALM is also working to raise awareness about the importance of child abuse prevention in the community, using social media campaigns, a prevention-focused educational mailing piece, community events, and partnerships with local organizations.
For more about CALM’s prevention efforts or to get involved, visit www.calm4kids.org.