Clinical & Support Options Receives $2 Million SAMHSA Grant

NORTHAMPTON — Clinical & Support Options Inc. (CSO) has been awarded a five-year, $2 million grant to serve as a Category III Community Treatment and Service (CTS) Center through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) national network of grantees, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

CSO’s STAR (Stress, Trauma and Resilience) program will utilize attachment, self-regulation, and competency (ARC) principles in treatment of youth who have experienced or witnessed trauma. CSO will provide trauma treatment and support for a wide range of area residents, with special focus on youth and families of military personnel, youth and families involved with the child welfare and protection system, and urban youth at risk of gang and community violence.

In addition to direct treatment, CSO will offer training in ARC principles for organizations in the region and will provide ARC certification for clinicians treating youth, both in house at CSO and for partner agencies.

CSO will use the STAR program to provide an ongoing system of outreach and engagement with at-risk youth and families in Western Mass., including those who are uninsured and underinsured. CSO plans to create awareness of the importance of recognizing and treating trauma in its communities.

“We are thrilled that CSO’s capacity to provide quality, trauma-informed treatment services and train others in trauma-informed care has been recognized and supported by SAMHSA,” said CSO President and CEO Karin Jeffers. “This grant will support the ongoing development and availability of trainings through our Center for Professional and Community Education.”