This program provides trauma informed therapy and case management for victims of crime in Dallas County. An assessment is completed to determine the impact of the trauma, coping mechanisms, and use of alcohol or drugs to help cope. Trauma informed therapy is provided for children, youth and adults in Spanish and English. Therapy may be individual, family or group. Referrals to higher levels of care or psychiatric evaluations are provided as needed. A case manager will assist with the Victim’s Assistance applications and provide referrals for other services is indicated by need.
Through Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed care, and evidenced-based curriculum to facilitate maternal bonding, teach parenting skills, and encourage compliance with recovery and medical care. Parenting education classes, infant care instruction, case management and psycho-educational parenting/recovery groups are offered.
New Connections has 3 components:
New Connections Mommies program is for pregnant women using drugs, especially opioids. This program includes street outreach and outreach with community partners where women using drugs may find out they are pregnant. Facilitating the access to drug & alcohol treatment along with prenatal care is the focus while offering support for recovery, case management and helping prepare for parenting in recovery.
New Connections Outreach program is for teens and women who are considered at-risk. Case management is offered to facilitate access to medical care, address risk factors and connect pregnant women with needed resources to prepare for a healthy baby raised in a safe environment. Screenings for substance use issues, domestic violence and mental health needs are given. Infant care instruction and Mom’s Clubs are facilitated to help the women develop healthy support systems and have the skills to be a healthy parent.
New Connections Parenting in Recovery program offers intervention services for parents referred from CPS due to parental involvement with drugs or alcohol. Assessments, development of a service plan, implementing intervention strategies, facilitating evidenced-based parenting in recovery psychoeducational groups, and case management are used to help parents develop the skills for healthy parenting in recovery. Motivational interviewing is used to help parents look at their behaviors and evaluate the need for change.
A Youth Prevention Selective (YPS) program that offers evidenced-based prevention services to youth and families, educating on effects of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. This includes a 10-session group session with children and youth identified as being at-risk for alcohol and drug use. These 10 sessions offer interactive education while helping youth set goals, build self-esteem, learn refusal skills and evaluate how using alcohol, tobacco or other drugs may interfere with reaching their goals. Services are offered at schools, community centers and community event
Various topics including:
Program Evaluation and Research offered for a contracted fee to determine effectiveness of programs and offer suggestions for improvement of program outcomes.
Call Dr. Laura Frank Terry, Ph.D at 214-645-0931 or email Laura.Frank@uta.edu to request more information on program evaluation or research or to set up a consultation.