2005 Grant Announcements

The outcome of the recent grant competition for the NCTSN was announced by SAMHSA on September 30, 2005, resulting in a substantial changeover in the membership of the NCTSN. In the new 45-member Network, 15 members (33%) are new to the NCTSN; 13 (29%) are refunded original members (including the National Center); and 17 (38%) are continuing members, whose funding cycle is 2003-2007. Twenty-five former members (46% of the former NCTSN members) did not receive continued funding, and the overall Network was reduced by 9 members, from 54 to 45.

The 15 new grantees are located throughout the U.S., including many states which previously did not have an NCTSN center. For example, Alaska and New Hampshire are two of the new states now represented in the Network.

A grantee orientation meeting was held for all funded NCTSN members on November 15-17, 2005, in Baltimore, Maryland.

(Community Treatment and Service Centers, Treatment and Service Adaptation Centers)

Broadening NCTSN Membership

SAMHSA and the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress (NCCTS) have begun discussions about having a Network membership that includes both newly funded sites and previously funded sites that did not receive SAMHSA funds for the current grant cycle. A preliminary letter will go out shortly to non-refunded sites to outline these plans. This letter will be followed by phone calls to assess the willingness, interests, and ability of these non-funded centers to remain active in Network activities.

Many centers have expressed interest in continuing to collect data or to close out cases for the Core Data Set. Many also have expressed a continued desire to participate in collaborative groups or projects. SAMHSA and the National Center hope to tailor membership agreements that will include some logistical support or technical assistance to centers willing to continue with Network projects.

Under the plan, all centers funded since the inception of the Network may opt to be called Network members and to be included on Network rosters and websites. “Our goal is to continue to take advantage of the wisdom and experience of all centers that have been members of the Network and to grow into truly a nationwide movement to improve child trauma services,” said NCCTS co-director John Fairbank, PhD.