Kansas LEND Partners to Disseminate PCIT Across Kansas

February 16, 2021

Kansas LEND partnered with another HRSA grant, Telehealth ROCKS (Rural Outreach to Children of KS)/ KANDO, to take the first step in disseminating Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) throughout the state. PCIT is an evidence-based intervention that has been shown to be effective in improving behavior, language, social skills and play in young children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (ADHD, Autism) and trauma.

In November and December of 2020, LEND faculty Leni Swails and Skylar Bellinger worked with Global Trainer Christina Warner-Metzger of DePaul University to train a cohort of 6 new PCIT therapists, nearly doubling the number of PCIT-trained therapists in the state. Training was focused on existing mental health professionals in rural/underserved areas, encompassing 3 agencies including an early childhood center, community mental health center, and hospital. Ongoing Technical Assistance and consultation will continue over the next year. Kansas LEND has been connecting with urban and rural mental health agencies to plan additional training cohorts, with the hope of exponentially increasing access to quality mental health care for all Kansas children.