The Summer Treatment Program (STP) Special Interest Group

The Summer Treatment Program (STP) Special Interest Group of the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (SCCAP) is dedicated to the dissemination, research, training, consultation, leadership, and expansion of available STPs. The primary goal of the STP SIG is to provide a professional forum that supports clinicians, researchers, students/trainees, and administrators in the successful implementation of STPs. As a unified network of scientists, practitioners, and administrators, the STP SIG is interested in developing a venue to share emerging or promising practices and interventions that can enhance the STP by increasing access, promoting equity, increasing diversity, improving training practices for the next generation of child mental health practitioners, and incorporating more family/stakeholder feedback and voice into intervention strategies.

Despite being a well-known evidence-based treatment for children with ADHD, STP is only regularly offered at 15 sites across the US, suggesting dissemination and implementation challenges that limit access for many. With rates of ADHD and co-occurring conditions on the rise and representing significant hardship, there is a need to improve access to this important, life-changing intervention. However, there are many barriers to running high fidelity STPs including the requirement for highly specialized training, limited knowledge and awareness of the intervention, and limited research into adaptations of the STP in community settings. Therefore, there is a need to spread awareness of the STP and to connect STP clinicians, researchers, and administrators so that those working to implement STPs have a platform to share resources and creative adaptations or intervention strategies.

The STP SIG is interested in (a) creating a national network of STP providers and programs, (b) developing shared resources and a listserv to offer space for clinical conversations, questions, guidance, and problem-solving around STP implementation, (c) educating others about STPs, (d) promoting awareness of STPs and adapted STP programs, (e) providing mentorship for those seeking to develop or expand STPs, and (f) refining best practices for STPs in community settings with diverse populations and budgetary restraints. Given the significant number of children diagnosed with ADHD, the hardships faced by children and families diagnosed with complex ADHD, and the limited availability of evidence-based resources such as STPs, there is a great need for a special interest group to connect professionals committed to increasing access.

Questions? Contact co-chairs

Sarah Tannenbaum , PsyD, ABPP     stannenbaum@bakercenter.org

Katie Hart, Ph.D.     khart@fiu.edu

Founding members:  

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You must be a current member of SCCAP to participate in Special Interest Groups. Membership in the SIG is free for SCCAP members. Complete the form to be placed on the information distribution list.