A hospital and community-based violence intervention program for Black & Latino youth and their caregivers

Background Black and Latino youth are disproportionately affected by trauma from community violence, but to date, few data support the benefit of evidence-based treatments for these youth or of including peer support to engage these youth in mental health services. Objective From 2018 until 2020, a hospital and community-based violence intervention program in Philadelphia pilot tested the integration of home and community-based Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) with peer services and case management for youth impacted by community violence. This study describes the implementation of this intervention. Method Data was gathered by querying the program’s database. The Child Post Traumatic Stress Symptom Severity Scale (CPSS-SR-5) and the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ) were utilized to evaluate the participants’ pre- and post-intervention assessment of PTSD and depression. The sample ( N = 50) consisted of Black and Latino youth, mean age 14. Results Twenty-nine (58%) completed TF-CBT, and 82% met peer and case management goals. Youth who completed therapy showed significant improvement in both PTSD and depression symptoms at post-test. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study describing the implementation of home and community-based TF-CBT with peer support and case management. The study’s limitations and need for further research are discussed.