Resilient response to the Effects to Stress and Trauma (REST) is a Journey Mental Health Center program for youth in Dane County. We partner with schools and community mental health agencies to build resiliency and promote recovery for youth impacted by stress and trauma. The program identifies students needing mental health support, connects them to appropriate school or community-based intervention(s), and increases schools’ capacities to support students impacted by stress and trauma.

Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools

The REST Program invites students affected by traumatic stress to participate in a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) group. Through an equity-centered and resiliency-focused approach, CBITS aims to increase coping skills and reduce symptoms of traumatic stress for students in middle and high school.

Healing Ethnic And Racial Trauma

The REST Program is also inviting middle and high school students affected by racial trauma to participate in a Healing Ethnic and Racial Trauma (HEART) group. HEART is based on a trauma-informed approach and Liberation Psychology. These groups provide a sanctuary space for BIPOC students and aim to increase their coping skills and reduce symptoms of traumatic stress and depression. While also providing space to process racialized encounters, cultivate their resiliency and building authentic connection with peers and adult facilitators who have shared experiences.

Supporting Transition Resilience Of Newcomer Groups

The REST Program will be piloting the Support Transition Resilience of Newcomer Groups (STRONG) in the Madison Metropolitan School District in 2024-2025 school year. STRONG is an evidence-informed, school-based intervention for immigrant and refugee youth (K-12th grades).  STRONG aims to build resilience and address psychological distress associated with the newcomer experience from a culturally contextualized lens.

For those helping with Student Consults or running CBITS/HEART groups at MMSD Schools:

We appreciate your interest in supporting MMSD students and staff!   To be considered an “approved volunteer”, volunteers must complete three steps: 1. Application & Background check (Volunteer Tracker) 2. Register for Visitor Aware 3. Required training modules, learn more at https://www.madison.k12.wi.us/partnerships/volunteering/volunteer-training

Want a break-down of program implementation by month? Take a look at this CHECKLIST

Month	REST Program Action
September	Universal Screening Training via Zoom Send out Passive Consent forms
October	Implement Universal Screening Returning Facilitator Training @ JHMC Student Consult Training @ JHMC Start Student Consults CBITS Training @ JHMC
November	HEART Training @ JMHC Complete Student Consults Student Consult Review Meeting with Journey REST Team Send out Active Consent Forms (document # of opt outs) Refer for other interventions Begin REST groups (end of month)
December	Begin REST groups
January	Begin/Continue REST Groups
February	Continue/Complete REST Groups Re-screen (within two weeks of the end of the group) End-of-group review meeting (with REST Team) Follow up support for group members if needed
March
April	Complete REST Groups (if not already completed) Re-screen (within two weeks of the end of the group) End-of-group review meeting (with REST Team) Follow up support for group members if needed
May	Final post-intervention screener for REST group participants
June	Enjoy your summer!