Integrating the Attachment, Regulation, and Competency Trauma-Informed Framework in Inpatient, Day Treatment, Partial Hospitalization,and Residential Treatment Settings.

ABSTRACT

Pediatric mental health needs are currently on the rise across all levels of care. The COVID-19 pandemic accentuated concerns within our mental health system, not only for those requiring care, but also for care providers. One particular area of concern is access to care for those that require acute care or crisis stabilization (eg, emergency department visits or stays on crisis stabilization units). The Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) approach, a flexible trauma-informed treatment framework, provides equitable and effective treatments for youth as well as systems to support health care professionals caring for these youth. Trauma-informed care, particularly that which incorporates restorative practices, increases equity for racially and ethnically minoritized youth and informs the creation of upstream, midstream, and downstream policy interventions.