Statewide dissemination of trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)

•A detailed description of a statewide dissemination effort of TF-CBT is provided.•139 mental health professionals (MHPs) have been trained in TF-CBT.•Over 100 MHPs are currently completing the TF-CBT training process.•Several possible motivators for buy-in were confirmed by MHPs.

Despite evidence linking childhood trauma to subsequent social, emotional, psychological, and cognitive problems, many children who have experienced trauma do not receive mental health treatment that has been proven to be effective. Large-scale dissemination of evidence-based practices (EBPs) is one possible solution to enhance the current negative state of mental health treatment for these children. This article describes a dissemination effort of an EBP (i.e., Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy [TF-CBT]) for childhood symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder throughout Arkansas. The effort targeted mental health professionals within child advocacy centers and community mental health centers across the state. The article describes the process of dissemination and implementation. Lessons learned and recommendations for future dissemination efforts are highlighted.