Postdoctoral Fellowship Position in Implementation Science/Child Trauma at the Child Health and Development Institute

The Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) is accepting applications for a one year Postdoctoral Fellowship in Implementation Science/Child Trauma. The Fellow is anticipated to spend some of his/her time working with faculty at UCONN Health on disseminating evidence-based interventions for youth in schools and in the community. At CHDI, the Fellow will work on one or more initiatives disseminating evidence-based, trauma-informed interventions for youth in the community; opportunities to work on CHDI’s other mental health, health, or early childhood programs may be possible. The fellow recruited for the position will have a strong interest in (1) effective dissemination of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for children, (2) child traumatic stress, (3) applying implementation science to improve the practice of dissemination and implementation, and (4) contributing to the field of implementation science through publications and/or presentations. An optional second year may be possible depending on the Fellow’s interests, funding, and CHDI/UCONN staffing needs.

CHDI is currently participating in several EBP dissemination efforts for children’s mental health across Connecticut, including Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems (MATCH-ADTC), Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS), and Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC). CHDI uses the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Breakthrough Series Collaborative (or Learning Collaborative) methodology as one approach for disseminating EBPs. CHDI is also a recipient of a SAMHSA National Child Traumatic Stress Network grant focused on improving trauma-informed practices for young children, and has several projects related to screening children for trauma. The Fellow will work on one or more of these or related initiatives for improving children’s health or mental health at CHDI.

The Fellow’s specific projects and responsibilities will be jointly determined based on interests, experience, project needs, and funding. Examples of activities include use or evaluation of the learning collaborative methodology, developing and/or testing other EBP implementation and/or consultation strategies, quality improvement approaches, training, data reporting, policy, and evaluation. An emphasis will be placed on identifying and carrying out studies for co-authored publications and presentations using archived or prospective data. Fellows will receive weekly supervision from a licensed clinical psychologist at CHDI.

CHDI is an independent, non-profit subsidiary of the Children’s Fund of Connecticut, which was established in 1992 and is located in Farmington, CT. Working in partnership with state and regional agencies, hospitals, universities, and other organizations, we combine direct funding with grants and contracts for research, evaluation, policy analysis, consultation, training, and technical assistance. The mission of the Institute is to improve the quality of care for all children, emphasizing family-centered, comprehensive care that encompasses both physical and behavioral health. Collaborating with the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, the University of Connecticut, and Yale University, we strive to advance sustainable improvements in primary and preventive health and mental health care practices and policy for all the state’s children, with a particular focus on disadvantaged or underserved children and families.

The Fellow will receive a stipend of $48,000 annually (full time). A generous benefit package including health and dental care and paid time off is provided.

Eligibility

The individual selected for this position will work within grant- and contract-funded projects at CHDI and UCONN Health, primarily projects related to implementation of evidence-based behavioral health treatments for children exposed to traumatic events such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, and violence.

Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. in Clinical or Community Psychology, Social Work, or a related discipline from an accredited academic program. Strong professional writing and data analysis skills are required; candidates with at least one first authored publication in a peer-reviewed journal are preferred. Experience with children’s mental health, child traumatic stress, EBPs, advanced statistical analysis, and/or dissemination and implementation is highly desirable. CHDI provides a unique opportunity to receive training in the practice of dissemination and implementation and to contribute to meaningful systems change through application of implementation science and trauma informed care in community-based settings.

Applications

To apply, please email (1) a detailed letter of interest describing qualifications and experience; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) one example of scholarly writing (preferably a published article); and (4) three letters of recommendation, at least two of which are from supervisors, to Jason Lang (jalang@uchc.edu). Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. The Fellowship is contingent upon continued funding.