Over the last five years, Children's Research Triangle has continued to expand its clinical services and is recognized across the nation as one of the premier centers for clinical, research and policy development on behalf of children. In the past year, our strategic plan underwent its 5 year review and through this process, we were able to tally up our accomplishments, recognize our challenges, and renew the vigor with which we do our work. The unique partnership between our Board of Directors, staff, and community proved to be a foundation upon which we have successfully built our programs and policies.
At the core of our approach to promoting the well being of children is the recognition that a child's development is a dynamic process, involving both social and biological factors that contribute to success or failure. From day one, children interact with the environment around them and seek the nurturing support that will help them achieve their full potential for health and development. However, a woman's use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs during pregnancy is recognized as one of the most significant barriers to a child's healthy outcome, impeding the child's ultimate growth and development through both biological and environmental influences. Compounding this problem, many children from substance abusing homes end up in the child welfare system, often undergoing a series of placement changes that interfere with the child's ability to develop an enduring relationship with a primary caretaker.
Over the past year, we have continued to study the integration of behavioral health care into primary health care for children at risk from prenatal alcohol and drug exposure. Not surprisingly, we find that children whose families receive integrated services fare far better than children who receive care in a more traditional manner. Our treatment model has been so successful that communities in a number of states---Iowa, California, Alabama, New Jersey, Illinois, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Louisiana, Florida, Oregon, Nebraska, to name a few---are in the process of replicating the Children's Research Triangle's model of care. We also have seen the 4P's Plus ©, a screening instrument for perinatal substance abuse, being utilized in clinical programs around the country. Active research into the recognition and treatment of high risk children and families has been funded by several federal agencies---the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention---as well as local foundations--- Chicago Tribune Charities---Holiday, a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation., the Michael Reese Health Trust, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Foundation.
The number of children and families receiving evaluation and treatment services through The Child Study Center continues to grow, with referrals coming from almost every state in the country and from as far away as Europe. Camp SOAR, our outdoor recreational camp for children with special needs, continues to expand and flourish, thanks to the dedicated staff and volunteers who work with these children over a very strenuous but exhilarating two weeks each summer.
Our challenge in the coming years is to continue to provide cutting edge clinical services and perform quality research that can be translated into best clinical practices for children and families. We then will publish and disseminate information that will guide other communities and organizations in their care of high-risk children. Our focus will continue to be on the children and families whose lives can be made better through thoughtful, supportive, quality care.
