C-SIMI Fact Sheet

Download the sheet (Acrobat PDF)

• What does C-SIMI mean:
• C-SIMI stands for Colorado Systems Integration Model for Infants.
• Grant facts:
• This grant was developed as a response to the CAPTA requirement addressing substance exposed infants.
• This is a 3 year grant, with an option to renew for up to 5 years. 
• The grant was awarded through DDHS to Dr. Kathryn Wells from the Administration of Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) and the Children’s Bureau.
• Starting on 10/1/06, we will implement our model program/pilot protocols in Denver County through year 3.
• We plan to expand our pilot program in other Colorado counties in years 4 and 5.
• Grant and Program Goal:
• To develop a model program to address the needs of prenatally substance-exposed infants and their families.
• Our program is designed to incorporate best practice approaches from the child welfare, health care, drug treatment, and legal systems involved with substance-exposed infants and their families in the formulation of a model program. C-SIMI will assist families by creating and/or refining identification, assessment and treatment protocols to enhance the response of existing service systems. Examples include protocols for the identification of maternal substance abuse prenatally, as well as of substance-exposed newborns at the time of birth, a Child Welfare notification protocol for hospital and health care providers, protocols for substance abuse treatment providers, and innovative Child Welfare risk assessment procedures. We will also work with law enforcement and the judicial system to better understand and inform responses to families facing substance abuse issues.
• How do we plan on creating a cross-systems model?
• We have assembled 4 work groups, which include participants from child welfare, legal and court systems, mental health and drug treatment providers, hospital staff, and the community.  The 4 work groups include: Assessment, Identification, Treatment and Legal/Public Policy.
• An Advisory Board composed of experts in this area will oversee and advise our efforts.
• Our Staff:

  Kathryn Wells, M.D.-P.I.
  Christina Little*, Ph.D.-Program Director
  William Betts, Ph.D.-Program Evaluator
  Donna Hamburg, M.A.-DDHS Liaison
  Don Bross, J.D., Ph.D.-Legal Consultant
  Leah Mencin-Administrative Research Assistant

* please contact Dr. Little at little.christina@tchden.org with any program related questions.