The George Hull Centre Institute of Childhood Trauma and Attachment today released launched the Child and Adolescent Screener for Traumatic Exposure and Response (CASTER™). The CASTER is a screening tool which allows trauma exposure and symptoms to be identified early in the assessment and treatment process. It will help child and youth-serving sectors identify traumatic stress in presenting clients and allow for appropriate clinical and case-planning responses.

Content validity of the CASTER has been established in consultation with youth with lived experience, parents, children’s mental health clinicians, and professional experts in trauma treatment.

Development of the CASTER was led by Clinical and Forensic Psychologist Dr. Jim Worling, backed by a team that included Institute Director Leticia Gracia, an MSW,​ who has a background in developing and implementing high quality clinical programs to treat the most complex of cases.

“We are thrilled to be able to be in the unique position of being able to develop innovative approaches to identifying trauma, such as the Child and Adolescent Screener for Traumatic Exposure and Response (CASTER®), develop and test best practices to better identify and treat traumatized children and families in our centre, and bring these best practices to other organizations and clinicians.” Leticia Gracia, Director of the Institute of Childhood Trauma & Attachment

Click here for more information or to download the CASTER.

The George Hull Centre Institute of Childhood Trauma and Attachment is committed to increasing understanding and implementation of trauma responsive practice for children, youth and families across sectors through the dynamic integration of best practice development, research, knowledge dissemination and training.

Questions about the CASTER can be directed to Leticia Gracia or Jim Worling.