Child Health & Development Institute (CHDI)

Join our team! 5 open roles: (1) Senior Project Coordinator, Evidence-Based Practices and Quality Improvement; (2) Project Coordinator, System Development; (3) Project Coordinator/Sr. Project Coordinator, Quality Improvement - Foster Care; (4) Project Coordinator, School Mental Health - Student Peer Support Program; (5) Senior Data Analyst, Quality Improvement

Are you passionate about building a better #ChildrensBehavioralHealth system? Join our team! CHDI is currently #hiring for 5 open positions in #QualityImprovement, #ImpSci, #EvidenceBasedPractice, #SystemDevelopment, and #SchoolMentalHealth in #Connecticut.

➡️Learn more + apply: loom.ly/MyxQ4uo

It's #TrainingTuesday! This week's featured course is A Comprehensive Introduction to the Ohio Scales for Youth, taught by Ohio Scales co-developer Ben Ogles.

Learn to use these evidence-based measures to assess + monitor #BehavioralHealth treatment with youth and families: https://loom.ly/znQWMIA

Our latest newsletter includes a new Issue Brief, training courses, job opportunities, and a tribute to the late champion for CT families, Beresford Wilson, Jr.

Read it here: https://conta.cc/4mlKv32

#ChildrensMentalHealth

We're hiring! Senior Associate or Director and Project Coordinator. Exciting opportunities to join CHDI's new Performance Improvement Center for the state of CT's Functional Family Therapy - Foster Care (FFT-FC) program!

Help shape CHDI’s new Performance Improvement Center for the State of Connecticut’s Functional Family Therapy-Foster Care (FFT-FC) program!

We're currently hiring for 2 roles to staff this initiative: https://loom.ly/MyxQ4uo

#MentalHealthJobs #PublicHealthJobs #QualityImprovement #FosterCare

Issue Brief 92: Strengthening Children's Behavioral Health Systems of Care - The Essential Role of Infrastructure

1. Integrated governance and decision-making structure. 2. Structures and processes for blended and braided funding. 3. Central point of access for information, referral, and linkage. 4. Workforce development, training, and coaching in effective practices. 5. Data and quality improvement mechanisms

In our latest Issue Brief, CHDI's Jeff Vanderploeg unpacks 5 essential elements of infrastructure within the context of state-level children’s behavioral health system building: https://loom.ly/1OZ-8QA

#MentalHealthPolicy

Brief Introduction to Wraparound The Brief Introduction to Wraparound will provide the learner with skills to implement the Wraparound Practice Model in their work with children and families. Wraparound is a philosophy of care with a defined planning process used to build constructive relationships and support networks among children and youth with emotional or behavioral challenges and their families.

It's #TrainingTuesday! This week's FREE course is "Brief Introduction to Wraparound." Learn skills to implement the #Wraparound Practice Model to build support networks around youth w/behavioral health needs.

➡️Register: https://bit.ly/4nXoLw2

#YouthMentalHealth #ProfessionalDevelopment #CECs

Resource Library View our latest resources and publications.

➡️Looking for something else? Browse CHDI's Resource Library: bit.ly/46iNNPU

Strengthening the Behavioral Health Workforce for Children, Youth, and Families Strengthening the Behavioral Health Workforce for Children, Youth, and Families: A Strategic Plan for Connecticut identifies best practices and innovative solutions from across the nation that will he...

🧑‍💼Strengthening the Behavioral Health Workforce for Children, Youth, and Families - A Strategic Plan for #CT:
Comprehensive analysis of factors straining the children's #BehavioralHealth #workforce + research-backed recommendations for policymakers and providers.

Find it here: bit.ly/44ogPMw

Issue Brief 92: A Restorative Approach to School Discipline This issue brief provides guidance for implementing a restorative practices framework in school and district disciplinary approaches.

📑Issue Brief - A Restorative Approach to School Discipline: Guidance for implementing a #RestorativePractices framework in school and district disciplinary approaches, offering practical tools + models to help schools respond to behavioral challenges. Read it:

#SchoolMentalHealth
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Trauma ScreenTIME Training

📋 Trauma ScreenTIME courses: Free, online courses on how to screen children for #trauma and develop a screening process for your organization. Setting-specific courses available for schools, #EarlyChildhood, child welfare, and #PediatricPrimaryCare.

Register: www.traumascreentime.org
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Kids Mental Health Training The Kids Mental Health Training portal is an online, asynchronous learning portal that provides convenient, evidence-based training on a variety of children’s behavioral health topics for clinicians, ...

🖥️ Kids Mental Health Training platform: Free, online professional development courses on a range of #EvidenceBasedPractices and treatments in children's behavioral health, for clinicians, educators, and anyone who works with kids.

Browse catalog: bit.ly/4ktVHtd

#ProfessionalDevelopment #CECs
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Image of woman wearing earbuds while working on a laptop, with text reading "Free resources and publications on children's behavioral health practices, systems, and policies for youth-serving professionals"

At the #2025TrainingInstitutes earlier this month, our team shared many free CHDI trainings, resources, and publications for professionals working to improve #ChildrensMentalHealth treatments, systems, and policies. Here were some of the most popular resources:
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In this week's health news roundup:

-More states passing laws to grant doula access to those covered by Medicaid
-Gaps in mental health care for Connecticut mothers
-Patients delaying care due to fears of ICE raids

Read these stories and others here: www.cthealth.org/latest-news/...

Graphic with photo of Wendy Hulbert and text reading "CHDI welcomes Wendy Hulbert, Accounts Payable Manager. Wendy will oversee accounts payable functions, ensuring accurate and timely processing of invoices, scheduling payments, and maintaining vendor relationships."

Help us welcome Wendy Hulbert to the CHDI team as our new Accounts Payable Manager! 🎉 Wendy brings over 20 years of experience in accounting and administrative support across the health, finance, and manufacturing sectors. She holds a bachelor's degree from Lesley University. Welcome, Wendy!

We're hiring: Senior Associate/Director to lead CHDI's quality improvement work for the state of Connecticut's Functional Family Therapy - Foster Care (FFT-FC) program. Apply at chdi.org/careers.

📣Join one of the "Best Places to Work in CT"! CHDI is seeking a Senior Associate or Director to has an exciting opportunity to lead our quality improvement work for a state of #Connecticut #FosterCare program.

👉Apply: https://loom.ly/MyxQ4uo

#Hiring #CTJobs #QualityImprovement #ChildWelfare

New research reveals alarming decline in U.S. children’s health The comprehensive 17-year study finds rising mortality, chronic illness and mental health challenges among U.S. children and youth.

New research from Dr. Neal Halfon of UCLA finds an alarming decline in American kids' health and well-being: https://loom.ly/nyB8UDs

#HealthPolicy #ChildHealth

It's #TrainingTuesday, a new weekly series highlighting free Kids Mental Health Training courses!

The #OhioScales for Youth are evidence-based measures to assess + monitor youth #BehavioralHealth treatment. Learn to use them in your work with kids + families: https://loom.ly/oAarET0

Graphic with close-up image of a counselor holding a teen's hand and text reading "CHDI in the news: Urgent Crisis Centers Concerned About Future Funding - in CT News Junkie, July 10, 2025"

#Connecticut's Urgent Crisis Centers (UCCs) have diverted 1000+ kids experiencing behavioral health crises from emergency rooms since 2023.

But as this @ctnewsjunkie.bsky.social piece explains, their long-term sustainability is uncertain: https://loom.ly/mLSJecc

School Mental Health CHDI is committed to improving the mental health of Connecticut’s children where they live and learn. Schools can play an important role in identifying youth in need of help and linking them to school...

🍎Learn more about CHDI's school mental health initiatives and opportunities for schools to get support and technical assistance: loom.ly/18vjlgY

CHDI and our partners from Connecting to Care seated at a long table in front of the workshop sharing lessons learned from 10 years of Connecting to Care in CT

CHDI's Jeana Bracey posing for a quick group selfie with the team from FAVOR, Inc.

CHDI staff with partners standing together at the front of the Restorative Practices workshop

7 of CHDI's staff who work on school mental health initiatives pose together for a group photo at the conference

CHDI's #SchoolMentalHealth team was busy at #2025TrainingInstitutes! Their sessions included sharing lessons learned from 10 years of Connecting to Care, #RestorativePractices in schools, and using data to strengthen school mental health services.

(l-r) Tammy Freeberg of The Village for Families & Children, Jeff Vanderploeg, and Michelle Zabel of Innovations Institute

Yesterday, CHDI President & CEO Jeff Vanderploeg had a chance to catch up with longtime partner Tammy Freeberg of The Village + Michelle Zabel of @innovations-uconn.bsky.social, #2025TrainingInstitutes host!

Thanks again to Innovations for organizing this incredible gathering. 🙌

CHDI's Jason Lang stands at the front of a training room before a group of 25-30 professionals during trauma screening workshop

FAVOR's Lisa Girard speaks from a table at the front of the training room as CHDI's Jason Lang and Kellie Randall look on

CHDI's Jason Lang discusses trauma screening

Another #2025TrainingInstitutes highlight: a workshop on #TraumaScreening best practices by CHDI's Jason Lang + Kellie Randall w/FAVOR's Lisa Girard.

✨Missed this one? No worries! It was based on CHDI's Trauma ScreenTIME courses, all available FREE to any child-serving professional: bit.ly/44aI0ua

Over 2/3 of youth sport coaches want training in how to support the mental health of their athletes but only 8 states require it for high school coaches. Read our brief. csch.media.uconn.edu/wp-content/u... #WholeChild

CHDI's Jeana Bracey poses for a photo with Cookie Monster

Jeana got to meet #CookieMonster too! Now we're officially jealous! 😍🍪

(Though we're guessing he was just as starstruck to meet THEE Dr. Jeana Bracey, nationally recognized expert on comprehensive #SchoolMentalHealth system development)

#2025TrainingInstitutes

Yecenia hugging Cookie Monster!

CHDI's Yecenia Casiano got to meet (and hug!) America's most beloved blue monster at #2025TrainingInstitutes! 🤩🍪

Cookie Monster stopped by along with Dr. Jeanette Betancourt (@sesameworkshop.bsky.social), who is discussing strategies to support #ChildrensMentalHealth in today's lunchtime plenary.

Strengthening the Behavioral Health Workforce for Children, Youth, and Families Strengthening the Behavioral Health Workforce for Children, Youth, and Families: A Strategic Plan for Connecticut identifies best practices and innovative solutions from across the nation that will he...

Read the Strategic Plan to Strengthen Connecticut's Behavioral Health Workforce they discussed in this morning's Institute here:

#CTPolicy #ChildrensMentalHealth #MentalHealthPolicy #BehavioralHealthWorkforce #ResearchtoPolicy

CHDI's Aleece Kelly speaking to Institute participants

View from back of the training room of audience at this morning's Institute, with Aleece Kelly and Frank Gregory at front.

CT DCF's Frank Gregory holds up a copy of Connecticut's strategic plan to strengthen the behavioral health workforce for Institute attendees.

Panelists from CHDI, CT DCF, and Case Western Reserve University seated at a table beside a projector screen in this morning's Institute

Kicking off day 2 of the #2025TrainingInstitutes, CHDI's Aleece Kelly and colleagues from CT DCF + Case Western Reserve University presented a 3-hour Training Institute on #BehavioralHealthWorkforce development policy and strategies states like #CT + #OH are using to address the workforce shortage.

We're hiring: Senior Associate/Director to lead CHDI's quality improvement work for the state of Connecticut's Functional Family Therapy - Foster Care (FFT-FC) program. Apply at chdi.org/careers.

📣Exciting opportunity to lead CHDI's quality improvement work related to foster care! Apply: https://loom.ly/MyxQ4uo

#Hiring #CTJobs #QualityImprovement #FosterCare #ChildWelfare

Thanks for bringing us together, @innovations-uconn.bsky.social!

Photo captions:
1: CHDI's Jason Lang w/Tammy Freeberg (The Village for Families & Children) + Jennifer Nadeau (CHR)
2: CHDI's Jeff Vanderploeg w/Gary Blau (Hackett Center for Mental Health)
3: CHDI exhibit table goodies!