Kimby recently accepted the position of CBITS & Community Education Specialist at Journey Mental Health Center. Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) is a partnership between community mental health agencies and schools to support the mental health and behavioral needs of students. It provides mental health assessment, trauma groups, individual interventions with students, and school-based interventions. The program aims to improve functioning, school attendance, grades, peer support, caregiver support, and coping skills for trauma impacted students.
Currently in Dane County, CBITS is administered in 30 schools across the following five school districts in Dane County: Madison Metropolitan School District, Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, Sun Prairie Area School District, Oregon School District, and Stoughton Area School District. Each year, CBITS screens over 5,000 students in Dane County for trauma exposure, trauma symptoms, suicidality, and depression. On average, 1/3 of the students screened indicate a need for a follow up interview to evaluate mental health needs and provide referrals for support. After the interview process, CBITS staff and school staff collaborate to connect students with appropriate services within the school (e.g. a CBITS group) and/or services in the community.
To learn more about the national CBITS program: https://cbitsprogram.org/
To learn more about the mental health needs of youth in Dane County: https://danecountyhumanservices.org/yth/dox/asmt_survey/2018/2018_exec_sum.pdf (PDF)
HOW TO GIVE:
To donate directly to the CBITS program write a check payable to Journey Mental Health Center and indicate “CBITS PROGRAM” in the memo line.
Checks can be mailed to:
Journey Mental Health Center
Attn: Becky Eberhardt, Information Management Specialist
25 Kessel Court, Suite 105
Madison, WI 53711
In addition to CBITS, Journey Mental Health Center does a tremendous amount of good in Dane County! To learn more about this community-based mental health center and its many programs or to make a general donation to Journey, go here: https://journeymhc.org/donate/
KNEP Hikes 