Citation

Scivoletto S, Medeiros Filho MV, Stefanovics EA, Rosenheck RA. Psychiatr. Serv. 2014; 65(2): 138-140.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

10.1176/appi.ps.201300439

PMID

24492897

Abstract

This column describes the planning and development of The Equilibrium Program (TEP) for multiply traumatized and neglected children and adolescents with mental and general medical problems in São Paulo, Brazil. The program is a partnership between university faculty, various service providers, the courts, and the city government. In the first step, child psychiatry faculty from the University of São Paulo visited central-city areas and group shelters to talk to street youths to better understand their needs. A nearby community sports center building was chosen to be a center where youths could access services and engage in recreational activities and where the work of family integration could be facilitated. A multidisciplinary team conducts an in-depth assessment and creates an intervention plan, overseen by a case manager. Challenges to implementing such programs are discussed.

Language: en