Identifying, Treating, and Preventing Childhood Trauma in Rural Communities

While there have been great strides made in the treatment options available to trauma victims, there is a noticeable gap in the availability of medical, social, and psychological options in rural communities. As these hurdles gain more recognition, especially in regards to traumatized children, research efforts have been intensified in an effort to increase the overall awareness of and find solutions to the improper treatment being provided. Identifying, Treating, and Preventing Childhood Trauma in Rural Communities depicts the issues and challenges rural areas face when treating victims of trauma, especially children and adolescents. Featuring information on language and cultural barriers, as well as the lack of resources available within these rustic environments, this publication serves as a critical reference for researchers, clinicians, educators, social workers, and medical providers.

Marion A. Baker received a BS in Nursing from University of Portland in 1971. She worked in Community Mental Health Centers and at CU Medical Center providing counseling and supervision for the next 20 years. In 1991 she received her Psy.D in counseling psychology with an emphasis in family therapy from University of Northern Colorado. She has previously been a licensed clinical psychologist in Colorado and Alaska. Currently she is licensed in Arizona. Dr. Baker has specialized in work with children and their families with an emphasis in trauma assessment and treatment for the past 25 years. She was adjunct faculty in psychology at University of Alaska, Anchorage and Alaska Pacific University. Currently, Dr. Baker is the lead psychologist at Community Partnership of Enrichment Services (CPES) in Tucson, Arizona. In this position she consults and supervises a team of psychologists and doctoral interns. This team provides comprehensive psychological evaluations for children and adults in Arizona with a specialty in trauma identification and treatment recommendations. She has also been instrumental in developing a trauma treatment program at CPES for children and their parents/guardians. She is also a part of the Trauma Informed Care National Learning Community.

Jacqueline Y. Ford received her B.A from Holy Names College. She obtained three Master’s degree: Counseling Psychology, Christian Leadership Development and Psychology. Jacqueline received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Walden University in 2015. Dr. Ford currently chairs the Trauma Informed-Care committee for Community Providers of Enrichment Services in Arizona and California. Dr. Ford has dedicated her efforts on serving the needs of women and children who have lived experiences in the area of trauma and domestic violence. Dr. Ford is the Founder and CEO of The Center of Hope-Arizona. The Center of Hope Arizona is a non-profit organization which will offer services for women and children of domestic violence once it opens its doors. Jacqueline, adopted four children out of abusive and traumatic circumstances. She uses her education, skills, love and knowledge to help other foster/adoptive families’ advance as they embark on their healing journey.

Brittany Canfield , MS, MA provides psychological services across the state of Arizona for underserved youth. She is honorary lecturer for the Applied Psychology Online Masters Program within the University of Liverpool and Laureate Online Education partnership. Through her experience of working with traumatized children and adolescents, she strives to advocate for appropriate services for the children and families impacted by trauma.

Traci Grabb serves as a Clinical Director for Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) where she is responsible for AzCA’s outpatient children’s behavioral health program in three Southern Arizona counties. Founded in 1912, AzCA is one of the oldest and largest statewide child welfare and behavioral health non-profit agencies in Arizona providing a wide continuum of services to children and families. Ms. Grabb received a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University in Phoenix, Arizona. She has experience working in community-based programs with adults, children and their families in the child welfare, juvenile and adult justice systems to include work with sex offenders and victims of domestic abuse. Ms. Grabb’s interests focus on work with vulnerable children and families, as well as the professional growth of staff in promoting and strengthening the social-emotional well-being of individuals and families impacted by trauma and abuse.