GeneTIC Workgroup: Genetics Care that Is Trauma-Informed
GeneTIC is interdisciplinary workgroup of behavioral health providers, genetic providers, medical providers and parents/caregivers of patients with genetics conditions, who’s goals is to:
- To increase provider education and training on how to best work with patients and families with genetics conditions who have experienced or who are at-risk for trauma
- Improve understanding of needs and barriers facing patients, families and providers in order to develop and implement trauma-informed protocols and services
Funded by the Midwest Genetic Network (2022-2024; HRSA; UH7MC30775), the geneTIC workgroup lead the “Assessing Provider perspectives, needs and barriers to implementing trauma-informed care in medical clinics serving patients with genetic conditions” study. This mixed methods study aimed to understand the perspectives, needs and barriers to implementing trauma-informed care in medical genetics clinics. Data analysis is ongoing, with one publication currently under review.
In January 2025, Dr. Sala-Hamrick was awarded a small research fellowship from Eastern Michigan University to develop a trauma-informed protocol for screening, brief intervention and referral programs in medical genetics clinics. Protocol development took place from May-September 2025 in partnership with STAR lab students and the geneTIC workgroup and a new study examining patient and parent feedback on this protocol is currently in development.
Future ongoing research conducted by this workgroup will focus on further understanding the needs and experiences of patients and providers and adapting and implementing other trauma-informed and behavioral health programs in complex care settings.
Reaching Our Community Youth (ROCK): Understanding the Impacts of School-based Mental Health Coaching Program
In partnership with the ROCK Center for Youth Development and the Michigan Public Health Institute, the STAR lab is conducting a research study (2025-2026; funded by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity) and evaluation of ROCK’s Discover You, school based programs aimed at supporting positive psychosocial development of youth. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, the project aims to understand the impact of participation in this paraprofessional delivered, school-based program on youth outcomes and the perspectives and impact of the program on the adults who deliver it. Data collection is currently ongoing, with analysis and disseminate planed to begin in late Fall 2025.
Integrated Healthcare and Trauma-Informed Approached in Integrated Care Settings
Dr. Sala-Hamrick is currently collaborating with several health systems and advocacy groups to develop projects focused on integrating behavioral health practices and services into healthcare settings, including pediatric primary care, family medicine and complex pediatric care settings (inpatient and outpatient). Stay tuned for updates on this work. Much of this work is focused on developing and implementing brief screening, intervention and referral protocols to increase early identification and access to trauma-informed and trauma-focused services for individuals in need. Moreover, this work includes understanding how to best support providers and staff, refer patients to services that align with their needs and perspectives and increase the likelihood that implemented programs will be implemented effectively and sustained long-term.
Essentials for Childhood Data to Action: Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences
The Michigan Essentials for Childhood: Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences Data to Action project (1 NU81CE002073-01-00; Edick) is a 5-year 2.4 million dollar cooperative agreement awarded to the Michigan Public Health Institute by the Centers for Disease Control, Division of Violence Prevention. The project aims to 1) increase the collection, accessibility and use of youth-based surveillance data to better understand the experiences of children and adolescents in Michigan, 2) implement statewide and local evidence-based ACE prevention programs and 3) conduct ongoing data to action activities to understand how to better prevent and mitigate the impact of ACEs. Dr. Sala-Hamrick is an active collaborator on this project and STAR lab students may have opportunities to become involved in the future. https://www.mahp.org/2023/10/18/mphi-awarded-2-4-million-dollars-to-lead-statewide-efforts-in-preventing-adverse-childhood-experiences/
STAR Research Collaborative 