CBITS-RTM Pilot Study

Preventing Substance Use Among Incarcerated Youth Through Addressing Posttraumatic Stress

This pilot study, conducted in partnership with juvenile detention centers, evaluates an adapted CBITS-RTM intervention delivered in a detention school setting.

The study examines the intervention's feasibility and acceptability, as well as its effectiveness in reducing incarcerated youth's posttraumatic stress symptoms, improving academic functioning, and decreasing intentions to use substances post-release.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Youth must 1) be currently incarcerated in a partnering juvenile detention center, 2) be between 13-18 years of age, and 3) have a minimum of 3 months remaining on their sentence (i.e., sufficient time required to complete CBITS-RTM). Youth will complete a screening with a study team member involving the 2-item Abbreviated PTSD Checklist-Civilian version, with scores ≥4 considered a positive screen
• Clinicians are eligible if they are behavioral health staff working with youth at the detention school..

Exclusion Criteria:

• Observable cognitive or developmental delays or active psychosis that would interfere with completing consent, assessment or intervention.