In the fall of 2005, Children’s Research Triangle (CRT) obtained a subcontract through Northrop Grumman Health Solutions, funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). The intent of the project was to provide a much needed intervention for a population of individuals long-overlooked in the child welfare, judicial, adoptive, and mental health services delivery system: adolescents diagnosed with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The CRT Adolescent Project was developed in order to improve screening, referral, diagnostic, and treatment services for adolescents (13-21 years) in out-of-home placements who had risk factors associated with increased likelihood of having a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. In order to accomplish this goal, CRT designed a training curriculum that taught community providers how to identify the red flags that signify referral for a diagnostic assessment. Following diagnostic assessment, individualized treatment plans were devised for those adolescents diagnosed with a FASD. Treatment services for adolescents and their families included any combination of the following: group therapy curriculum; individual/family therapy; parent/caregiver coaching; and wraparound services and intensive case management. As part of this project, a 10 week group therapy curriculum was developed for adolescents and their caregivers, to target several key areas that adolescents with FASD frequently struggle, including social and communication skill deficits. The efficacy of this group therapy curriculum is presently being evaluated by CRT’s Research team.
