UH Rainbow Trauma Recovery Program
The University Hospitals Rainbow Trauma Recovery Program is a patient- and family-centered pediatric hospital-based violence intervention program (HVIP) serving children and families in the Greater Cleveland area. The program supports children, adolescents and families following a violent injury. The UH Rainbow Trauma Recovery Program is centered on the premise that children and families who have experienced trauma due to community violence benefit from coordinated support as they heal and reorder their lives.
To contact our UH Rainbow Trauma Recovery Program Coordinator, Matthew Krock, MSSA, LISW-S, call 216-844-8294 or email Matthew.Krock@UHhospitals.org.
About Our Program
UH Rainbow Trauma Recovery Program is a member of a national network of hospital-based violence intervention programs known as the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI). The HAVI developed the framework that guides our everyday practices. UH Rainbow Trauma Recovery Program views violence as a significant public health issue that healthcare systems have a responsibility to address. As ongoing HAVI members, we continue to collaborate with and support other programs nationally in pursuit of ongoing research and best practices.
Our History
Spearheaded by former Surgeon-in-Chief at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s, Edward Barksdale Jr., MD., our program began in October 2018 with a Victims of Crime grant from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. The program served its first participants in June 2019 to combat youth violence in the communities of Greater Cleveland.
Who We Serve
UH Rainbow Trauma Recovery Program serves children and adolescents ages 6 through 17 treated for peer or community violence at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Emergency Department at UH Cleveland Medical Center. This includes youths treated for gunshot wounds, stabbing injuries and other forms of physical assault. Families must reside in Cuyahoga County to be eligible.
- Goals of the UH Rainbow Trauma Recovery Program
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The specific goals of UH Rainbow Trauma Recovery Program include:
- Providing trauma-informed care.
- Engaging with patients and families soon after their initial injury and providing ongoing support during their medical treatment as needed.
- Providing holistic patient- and family-centered services, including trauma-informed case management and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy as needed.
- Multidisciplinary collaboration and evaluation to optimize success for all participants.
- Objectives of the UH Rainbow Trauma Recovery Program
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The most important objective of UH Rainbow Trauma Recovery Program is to decrease the occurrence of violent re-injury among youths ages 6 to 17 who are treated at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s for a violent injury. To reach the larger goals of the program, we pursue strategic, measurable objectives, including:
- Provide culturally competent services.
- Provide developmentally appropriate interventions.
- Identify and address symptoms of traumatic stress, grief and loss.
- Services for Youth Crime Victims
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Professional services by licensed clinical social workers with special training in trauma-informed care and related interventions such as:
- Crisis intervention and safety planning.
- Education and skill building.
- Intensive case management.
- Emotional support and advocacy.
- Assessment and planning.
- Linkage to other services and coordination of care.
- What We Offer
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Our program offers:
- One year of community support from a UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s social worker.
- A personalized plan to fit your child’s and the family’s needs.
- Connect to community programs and resources.
- System navigation and support, including education, healthcare and more.
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT): Therapy that involves both the child and the caregiver and is indicated for young people ages 3-21 who have experienced a traumatic event with significant symptoms of acute stress. Treatment is between 12 and 25 60- to 90-minute sessions and involves:
- Education
- Parenting skills
- Relaxation techniques
- Affect modulation skills
- Cognitive coping
- Trauma narration and processing
- In vivo mastery of trauma reminders
- Enhancing safety and future development
- Traumatic grief components
The UH Rainbow Trauma Recovery Program team has been specially trained to provide TF-CBT. TF-CBT is considered among the most effective and well-researched interventions for trauma.
Your child’s health is important. Get expert care.
Offering in-person and virtual visits.
216-UH4-KIDS