Children’s Mental Health Services

Motivational Interview (MI):  All staff using Motivational Interview, as well as the Clinical Department Supervisor, have participated in appropriate trainings to become familiar with the model protocol.  Although all clinical programs at FRC incorporate significant elements of the Motivational Interview Model, it is the Substance Abuse Program that uses this treatment modality to fidelity.

With this model, FRC is part of a statewide evidence based peer review initiative under the leadership of the DCF Program Office in Tallahassee.  On February 1, 2013 FRC received the first peer audit visit (a team of three visitors– two peers and a DCF representative) to monitor and provide technical support on the fidelity of the use of Motivational Interview in therapeutic intervention with consumers of the Substance Abuse Program. This peer review also audited that the appropriate terminology used by the Motivational Interview Model is utilized in forms and documentation included in clients’ records.  The Team of auditors was positively impressed with FRC record keeping and services provided and offered support to enhance the fidelity when using the model and when documenting the interventions.  FRC staff has continued consulting with the group in regards to following Motivational Interview fidelity in the language used in our treatment plans. The auditors have provided us with materials and templates to facilitate the process.  FRC has also requested information regarding training related to the Motivational Interview supervision protocol. The substance abuse counselor receives weekly supervision by the Program Coordinator. The Program Coordinator meets one-on-one with the Clinical Department Supervisor to discuss cases and review compliance with established protocol. The Substance Abuse Program staff also meets once a month with the Clinical Department Supervisor and the rest of the clinical team. The sessions are documented with one-on-one notes, the Clinical Department Supervisor Staffing Minutes and the Annual Evaluation of Substance Abuse cCounselor and the Program Coordinator.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT):  All therapists and the Clinical Department Supervisor participated in the pre-service training by a Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy master as the preliminary requirement to use Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in their therapeutic practice. Monthly phone supervision is now being implemented with the same master’s trainer, Dr. Elissa J. Brown, Ph. D., from the Partners Program at St John University in New York City, to ensure that the therapists implement the model’s protocol when serving a client that requires a treatment intervention that will focus on an identified trauma. This supervision also assists the therapists with their preparation toward completion of their Certification in this evidence-based modality to treat trauma.  Moreover, FRC has integrated the District 11 trauma informed initiative and has selected one clinical supervisor, one therapist and one full case manager to be part of the Miami C-START (Child Sexual-related Trauma Advocacy, Response and Treatment) Center under the leadership of Kristi House and Our Kids to implement a coordinated multidisciplinary trauma informed community response system using the Community Based Learning Collaborative model approach, training and supervision in TF-CBT. This supervisor and therapist have already participated in the training and are currently part of the follow up supervision protocol.