Saint Vincent’s Home has recently introduced Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC), an evidence based initiative developed by Justice Resource Institute (JRI) in all of our residential and congregate care levels of care.   [Relate only to trauma expertise, training experience, etc.] Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC) is a framework for intervention with youth and families who have experienced multiple and/or prolonged traumatic stress. Most of our clients and families have been effected by trauma in their lives and Saint Vincent’s specializes in the treatment of trauma of various types. ARC identifies three core domains that are frequently impacted among traumatized youth, and which are relevant to future resiliency.

Saint Vincent’s was introduced to the ARC Framework beginning in 2013 through participation  in the Massachusetts Child Trauma Project.  ARC was considered one of three evidenced-based practices in the treatment of trauma.  As a result of initiatives with the MCTP and the Child Advocacy Center of Bristol County, located in Fall River, Saint Vincent’s was able to train the clinicians providing services within our outpatient Mental Health Clinic n ARC.  Expanding this initiative will allow for all of our program areas and levels of care to have the same foundation, language, and tools for our ongoing work with youth and families who are dealing with trauma in their lives.

Outcomes research suggests that ARC leads to reduction in child post-traumatic stress symptoms and general mental health symptoms, as well as increased adaptive and social skills. Caregivers report reduced distress and view their children’s behaviors as less dysfunctional. Systems-level outcomes include reduced use of restraints in residential and congregate care programs, and improved permanency rates in foster care.

Recently more than 140 Saint Vincent’s Staff members participated in two full days of ARC training. The initial training will be followed by three additional all-day trainings focused on: advanced residential care; supervisor/supervision training; and leadership training. In addition, Saint Vincent’s has contracted for consultation for a minimum of one year focused on clinical consultation, administrative/operations consultation and supervision consultation to ensure that the framework is fully implemented and that, as an agency, we maintain fidelity to the model over time.