A Powerful Combination: How AIMWell and the Care Process Model Support Victim Advocates
March 11, 2026
by Michelle Miller, Ph.D., LCSW
NCA Institute for Better Mental Health Outcomes
Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) are built to provide coordinated, compassionate responses to children who have experienced abuse. While CAC teams work tirelessly to support children and families, two persistent challenges remain: identifying trauma related mental health needs as early as possible and connecting children to appropriate services amid long mental health waitlists.
One approach helping CACs address both challenges is the Care Process Model for Pediatric Traumatic Stress (CPM). The CPM is a brief mental health screening and response protocol designed to identify trauma exposure, traumatic stress symptoms, and suicide risk in children ages 5 to 18. Developed by the Pediatric Integrated Post-Trauma Services (PIPS) at the University of Utah, the CPM is a core component of the National Children’s Alliance’s AIMWell training for Victim Advocates. Its purpose is straightforward but powerful: to support early identification of mental health symptoms and safety concerns and help guide families toward timely, appropriate mental health care.
A common misconception is that mental health screening and assessment are the same. In reality, they serve different but complementary roles. Screening is a brief, early process used to identify possible concerns, while a mental health assessment, administered by a clinician, is a comprehensive evaluation that explores symptoms in depth and can lead to diagnosis and treatment planning. Screening is the first step. It helps determine who may need further assessment and supports timely referral to services. When CAC teams screen early, they can recognize trauma symptoms sooner, identify potential safety concerns, and begin meaningful conversations with caregivers, helping children access trauma-focused treatment more quickly and improving outcomes.
Another strength of the CPM is who administers it. While many assume mental health screening must be conducted by a clinician, the CPM is designed to be administered by non–mental health professionals. At a CAC, there is usually no one better suited for this role than a Victim Advocate. They are frequently the first and most consistent point of contact for families and are uniquely positioned to introduce mental health conversations in a trusted and supportive way. AIMWell builds on this relationship by equipping advocates with practical tools to help families navigate mental health concerns and access care.
Through AIMWell training, victim advocates learn how to administer the CPM screener, interpret results, and use the information to guide conversations with caregivers. The training also strengthens advocates’ skills in discussing mental health needs clearly and compassionately, identifying situations that may require additional safety planning, and supporting families through referrals to evidence-based trauma treatment.
Also, the CPM is designed to do more than identify concerns – it helps guide next steps. After completing the screener, advocates can talk about the results with caregivers and children right away, outline recommended actions, and share resources included in the tool that caregivers can use to support their child’s symptoms while waiting for therapy to begin. The CPM also screens for self-harm and suicidal ideation. Among youth ages 11 to 18, one in two report suicidal ideation, and one in eight are at elevated risk for suicide. Through AIMWell, victim advocates learn how to respond to suicidal thinking and self-harm, and how to collaborate with families to create a safety plan when needed.
Integrating the CPM into AIMWell reflects a broader shift within CACs toward early identification, caregiver engagement, and improved access to evidence-based trauma treatment. When victim advocates are equipped to recognize trauma symptoms, address safety concerns, and guide families toward appropriate services, CACs are even better positioned to support healing from the very first point of contact.
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Ready to register for AIMWell? Sessions will take place on the following dates:
– Welcome Call: March 18, 2026, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. ET
– Care Process Model Training: March 24, 2026, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET
– Live Call 1: April 15, 2026, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
– Live Call 2: April 22, 2026, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
– Live Call 3: April 29, 2026, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
– Live Call 4: May 5, 2026, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
The NCA Institute for Better Mental Health Outcomes is focused on strengthening the workforce that addresses child trauma. Offering meaningful, measurable value to children, families, clinicians, and the constellation of professionals that assist kids after abuse, the Institute delivers holistic mental health training that’s evidence-based and affordable for Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC)-connected professionals.
Lastly, click this link to be directed to the NCA Institute for Better Mental Health Outcomes Training Calendar for our other learning opportunities.
Michelle Miller, Ph.D., LCSW, is the Director of the NCA Institute For Better Mental Health Outcomes. She has 27 years in CAC work, founding a CAC and Montana’s NCA chapter. Dr. Miller has led NCA’s mental health efforts for 10 years and has 25 years as a trauma therapist. She enjoys Montana’s mountains with family.
