The Fast and the Furious: The Rapid Implementation of Tele‑mental health practices within a children's advocacy center
Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Global Implementation Research and Applications
Abstract
We work at a large, urban children’s advocacy center (CAC) that provides treatment and services to approximately 2000
children and families each year who have experienced child abuse and other forms of trauma. While the complexity and
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both physical and mental health are only beginning to be understood, families with
histories of abuse and other traumatic experiences are particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of isolation due to the
extended lockdown. When the COVID-19 pandemic was identifed as a public health crisis, the team of providers at the
CAC pivoted to meet the newly emerging needs of the children and families served. Tele-mental health practices (TMH)
were immediately implemented that required a deep understanding of the imminent safety concerns related to conducting
TMH when the client may not feel safe at home. Further, while most of the clients referred for services have experienced
child abuse and/or other types of trauma, COVID-19 is its own potentially traumatic event that can further exacerbate an
individual’s lack of safety and vulnerability to trauma. The current paper provides an overview of the rapid implementation
of TMH practices within a large, urban CAC setting. We share the specific tele-mental health practices and implementation strategies that were put into place because of COVID-19 and how they align with the Consolidated Framework for
Implementation Research, as well as recommendations for how agency leadership can better facilitate the implementation
of innovative practices in similar settings
Description
item.page.type
Article
item.page.format
Keywords
Children's Advocacy Center, implementation, mental health, telemental health
Citation
Conradi, L., Hazen, A., & Covert, J. (2022). The Fast and the Furious: The Rapid Implementation of Tele-mental Health Practices Within a Children’s Advocacy Center. Global Implementation Research and Applications, 1-16.